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Lewis Historical Fi^h- 



Jin il^mortam 



QIl)arlottr 31. Qlumtnga 



By 



iRpfa. i. N. iFrabntburQli, i. i.. IC. IC. i- 



913 



The Derrick Publishing Company 
Oil City, Pa. 






Copyright, J. N. Fradenburgh, 191? 



FEB -7 1914 



©CI. A.'} 6 24 8 



CONTENTS 

Chapter. Page, 

I. Early Life and Ancestry 7 

II. As College Student — Enlistment 23 

III. The "Hell Alarch" and the Bloody Battle 35 

IV. The Tullahoma Campaign 49 

V. Chickamauga 65 

VI. Chattanooga, Lookout ]\Iountain. Missionary 

Ridge Ss 

VII. The Atlanta Campaign 105 

VIII. "Marching Through Georgia" 123 

IX. From Savannah Northward and Home 139 

X. Business Life 165 

XL State Senator 181 

XII. Death and Last Funeral Obsequies 199 

XIII. Mrs. Charlotte J. Cumings 215 



ILLUSTRATIONS 

Page 

H. H. Cumings Frontispiece ^ 

Benjamin Cumings 9 

Mrs. Benjamin Cumings 13, 

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cumings 17 

Charles Cumings 21 . 

Henry H. Cumings, Student at Oberlin College 25/' 

Henry H. Cumings, Student 29 / 

H. H. Cumings, Soldier 33^ 

Captain H. H. Cumings 45^ 

Winter Quarters at Chattanooga, From a War Time 

Photograph 85^^ 

Missionary Ridge — Center of Baird's Assault 93 ^ 

Monument in Memory of the 105th Ohio Infantry 113 - 

Captain H. H. Cumings 141 ^ 

Captain H. H. Cumings, Business Man 167^ 

Captain H. H. Cumings, State Senator 185^ 

G. A. R. Lodge Room, Tidioute, Pa 193^, 

Cumings' Monument, Tidioute, Pa 201/ 

Charlotte J. Cumings 214^ 

Captain H. H. Cumings' Residence, Tidioute, Pa 217 ^ 

Charlotte J. Cumings — Early Photograph 221 ^ 

Andrew J. Sink 225/ 

Mrs. Andrew J- Sink 229 y 



EARLY LIFE AND ANCESTRY. 

The following paper written by J. H. Tewksbury was 
found among' the choice treasures of Captain H. H. Cum- 
ings and represents the ideal according to which he would 
gladly fashion his life. Doubtless he had often read and pon- 
dered it. We place it at the head of these pages : 

" To be joyous in my work, moderate in my pleasures, 
charv in my confidences, faithful in my friendships ; to be en- 
erg'etic but not excitable, enthusiastic but not fanatical ; loyal 
to the truth as I see it. but ever open-minded to the newer 
light ; to abhor gush as I would profanity, and to hate cant 
as I would a lie ; to be careful in my promises, punctual in my 
engagements, candid with myself and frank with others ; to 
discourage shams and rejoice in all that is beautiful and true; 
to do my work and live my life so that neither shall require 
defense or apology ; to honor no one simply because rich or 
famous, and despise no one because humble or poor : to be 
gentle and considerate toward the weak, respectful and yet 
self-respecting toward the great, courteous to all. obseciuious 
to none; to seek wisdom from great books and inspiration 
from good men : to in\-igorate my mind with noble thoughts 
as I do m_y body with sunshine and fresh air; to prize all sweet 
human friendships and seek to make at least one home happy; 
to ha\e charity for the erring, syn"i])athy for the sorrowing, 
cheer for the despondent ; to be indifferent to none, helpful to 
some, friendly with all : to leave the world a little better off 
because of me : and to lea^■e it. when I must, bravely and cheer- 
fully, with faith in God and good will to all my fellowmen : 
this shall be mv endeavor durino- the comino- vear." 



8 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Henry Harrison Cumings was born in Monmouth, Illi- 
nois, December i, 1840. We do not find that any of his an- 
cestors bore the name Henry Harrison, but we recall that 
William Henry Harrison had just been elected President of 
the United States on the Whig- ticket after the most exciting 
presidential campaign in all our history. The politics of the 
family may therefore be considered as settled. The religious 
teachings may also be judged from the fact that the next two 
sons which came to bless the family were named Charles 
Elliott and Francis Asbury. Rev. Charles Elliott, D. D. had 
recently been elected to the editorship of the Western Chris- 
tian Advocate, and Rev. Francis Asbury was the first and 
greatest apostle of Methodism on the American continent. 

Mr. Cumings removed with the family to Madison, Lake 
County, Ohio, in 1852, the year of the publication of " E^ncle 
Tom's Cabin " which served to more firmly determine the al- 
ready aroused sympathies of the " Western Reserve " in be- 
half of liberty. He worked on his father's farm, attending 
the district school in the winter. He was also a student in 
Madison Seminary, and later in the Grand River Institute 
at Austinburgh which was of considerable prominence at that 
time. 

Madison is on the old stage road from Cleveland to Buf- 
falo, and was a station on the " Underground Railroad," and 
the Cuniings family must have been deeply interested in its 
work. Many fugitives from slavery passed through Madison 
with faces towards the North Star and freedom. Here the 
George Harris of " Uncle Tom's Cabin " was arrested, only 
to be rescued at Unionville two or three miles distant. With 
his staunch Puritan ancestry, Christian home, Sunday school 
and church privileges, educational opportunities, and the po- 
litical and reformatory atmosphere by which he was surround- 
ed, ]\Ir. Cumings, as would be well expected, became at an 




Benjamin Cumings 



GENEALOGY ii 

early age firmly established in the principles uf morality and 
virtue. He had a well balanced mind, was a good student, 
read much, and easily assimilated knowledge. He would 
have been successful in any profession which he might have 
chosen. Of strong constitution, companionable, a good con- 
versationalist, kind and accommodating, generous, manly, 
loyal to truth and duty, he won the approbation, and gained 
the confidence of a multitude of friends. His high-mindedness 
and pure ambitions, his progressive spirit, his push and enter- 
prise, his confident outlook upon the world and readiness to 
do his part in it, his ceaseless activity won him well-merited 
scholastic, military, political and business success. His steadi- 
ness of purpose braced him against being led or surprised into 
the purely frivolous, unworthy and unmanly. 

The tracing of genealogies is of great importance in 
biographical research, and one of the most fascinating studies. 
There are few persons in America who interest themselves in 
this subject. We know well that it is not the character of his 
ancestors but his own character which makes the man. But 
we also recognize the law of heredity and confidently expect 
to find an explanation of personal traits and peculiarities in 
near or remote progenitors, and we are seldom disappointed. 
Indeed, we are dissatisfied and i)uzzled. if we make a thorough 
investigation and do not meet with verification of the law of 
heredity. Something abnormal must have crossed the law 
and interfered with natural enforcement. Again it is an in- 
spiration to learn who our ancestors were and what they did. 
We would not have their rejiutation suft'er by our example. 
We would imitate their noble and praiseworthy traits of char- 
acter. We are fortunate in finding so luuch of interest con- 
cerning the ancestry of the Cumings family. So noble a record 
must not be lost. It is well worthy of a prominent place in 
our histor}'. This is one way l)y which a life puts on immor- 



12 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

tality and its influence is perpetuated throughout all future 
ages. 

The genealogy of the American branch may be found in 
much greater fulness in the " Genealogical and Personal His- 
tory of the Allegheny Valley," edited by John W. Jordan, 
LL. D. The earlier genealogy was compiled by Captain Cum- 
ings, and came into our hands through the family. We have 
verified his work from the best available historical sources. 

Air. Cumings is removed by seven generations from 
Isaac Cumings, the founder of the American line. The sixth 
of the line was Lieutenant Benjamin Cumings whose name 
appears on the muster roll of Captain Reuben Dow's company 
of minute men at the Lexington alarm and at Bunker Hill. 
He marched from Hollis. New Hampshire, April 19, 1775. 
He was one of fifty-three men who remained at Cambridge, 
and volunteered in the new company, under Captain Reuben 
Dow, which was assigned to the Alassachusetts regiment, com- 
manded by Colonel William Prescott. The " History of Hol- 
lis " states : " Benjamin Cumings enlisted for one year in 
either the Sixth Company of the First Regiment, or the First 
Companv of the Third Regiment of the New Hampshire Con- 
tinental Line, and served in the battles and operations about 
New York, and at Princeton and Trenton, New Jersey." His 
son, Major Benjamin Cumings, served in the War of 1812. 

Charles Cumings, the father of Henry Harrison, was 
born at Brookline, New Hampshire. September 5, 1814, and 
moved with his parents from Hollis to Lnionville, Lake 
County, Ohio, in 1825. At the age of nineteen years, when 
residing in Unionville. Ohio, he w^as converted and became a 
minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church. For several 
years he was a regular " circuit rider " in Illinois, residing 
with his first wife and two elder children in Monmouth. 
\A'ithin a vear after the death of his wife. Emily Amsden, 




Mrs. Benjamin Cumings 



GENEALOGY 



15 



Au£;-iist 14. i8f)i. he left this work through the persuasion 
of his relatives in Ohio and returned to that state, where he 
married his second wife, Rebecca Agnes Sullivan, September 
2, 1852, and settled on a farm in North Madison, Lake County, 
continuing his ministerial labors now as a local preacher. 
About 1876 his eyesight failed so that he gave up preaching, 
but was always active in church work until the dav of his 
death. He died in Madison, Ohio, October 4, 1900. 

Charles Cumings was blessed with eleven children of 
whom three were by his first wife: Henry Harrison, the sub- 
ject of our Memoir; Lucy Mehitabel. wife of James H. Bovce 
— she died in 1898; Charles Elliott, now^ residing in East 
Brady. Pennsylvania ; Francis Asbury, Madison. Ohio : Jane 
Rebecca who married Howard A. Atkinson, deceased, resid- 
ing in Cleveland, Ohio; Benjamin Potter who died in in- 
fancy; Homer Potter, civil engineer, Painesville, Ohio; Emily 
Estelle, a deaconess in the Methodist Episcopal Church ; Mary 
Maria, graduate from Oberlin College, teacher of Latin and 
Greek for eleven years in Ottawa. Illinois, and now filling the 
same work in Painesville, Ohio ; Nellie Lavinia, educated in 
music at Oberlin Conservatory, married to Allen N. Benjamin. 
]\Iadison. Ohio ; Kate, educated at Oberlin College and Oberlin 
Conservatory, married to Rev. Orlando Pershing, Presbyterian 
pastor at Pueblo, Colorado ; and Edgar Roscoe. graduate from 
Union College, professor of geology in Indiana State L^niver- 
sity. 

The name of Isaac Cumings appears for the first time in 
Massachusetts. In the records of Essex County, the town 
clerk of W^atertown made an entry to the efTect that Isaac 
" Cuming " received from the land grants thirty-five acres of 
land in 1636. The general tradition held in different branches 
of the family is that it came directly or through England from 
Scotland. Similar traditions confirmed by convincing prob- 



1 6 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

abilities trace his descent from the family of " Comyn the 
Red," Lord of Badenock. This family originated in France 
or, according to other accounts, in Lombardy, from which 
during or shortly after the fourth century it crossed the Alps 
and settled in Provence. Later it removed to the Geronde 
country and thence to the north of France where it founded 
the town of Cominius. The kin to which Isaac Cumyn, as it 
is believed, belonged descended from Robertus de Comyn who 
came to England with William the Conqueror in 1066, and 
was appointed by the King, Farl and Governor of Northum- 
berland. An uprising of the natives occurred at Durham, Jan- 
uary 28, 1068-9, ^^'^^ t^^6 Governor and his seven hundred fol- 
lowers were slain— all save one. 

Robertus de Comyn was the son of Eustace, Comte de 
Comyn and Baron of Tousberry, who in his turn was the son 
of John, Comte de Comyn and Baron of Tousberry. The lat- 
ter was the son of Baldwin, founder of the house of Blois, and 
grandson of Baldwin, the distinguished soldier of the cross, 
and the third in descent from Charles, Due de Ingeheim, fifth 
son of the Emperor Charlemagne. Robertus at his death left 
two infant sons, John and William. The latter became Bishop 
of Durham and Chancellor of King David. John, the elder 
brother, was killed in the war, leaving a son, William, whose 
son Richard in 1144 was granted the Castle of Northallerton. 
He became the progenitor of all the Comyns in Scotland. 

Richard married Hextilda, the granddaughter of King- 
Donald Bain, and through this marriage came the claim of his 
great-grandson, John the Red Comyn, to the throne of Scot- 
land. William, the son and heir of Richard, became Great- 
Justiciary of Scotland, and through his marriage with 
Margaret, only child and heiress of Fergus, ancient Earl of 
Buchan, he became in his right Earl of Buchan. He acquired 
the Lordship of Badenock for W^alter, his second son, who. 




Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cumings 



THE OVERTHROW 19 

dying without issue, the Lordship descended to John, his third 
son. Upon the death of his brother WiUiam. John inherited 
large possessions. 

By intermarriage with pow^erful famihes, including the 
royal families of England and France, the Comyns became the 
most powerful family in Scotland. By the middle of the 
tliirteenth century this family included four Earls, one Lord 
and thirty-two belted Knights. 

Within seventy years thereafter the great house was utter- 
ly overthrown. It went down in the revolution which placed 
Robert Bruce upon the throne of Scotland. John Comyn the 
Red, Robert Bruce and William of Laniberton were appointed 
regents of Scotland in 1299. Comyn was the ruling regent 
in his own right as the heir of Baliol, King of Scotland. 
Robert Bruce had been appointed to please his party, and im- 
proved the first favorable occasion to enter into a league with 
Lamberton to stand by one another in promoting their owai 
interests. *' Challenged by the King of England with the 
bond between him and Lamberton, Bruce secretly quitted Lon- 
don, and on the tenth of February, 1306, met by appointment, 
in the Church of the Friars Minor at Dunifries, Comyn, whom 
he slew at the high altar for refusing to join in his plans." 
Then followed the struggle of the Comyns for vengeance 
which resulted in their overthrow and dispersion. Many fled 
to England where they became so poor that they became de- 
pendents upon the bounty of the English court. They had 
married into the best families, and at this day their blood 
circulate through all that is noble in the sister kingdom, in- 
cluding the numerous and royal descendents of Henry IV. 
The Earl of Shrewsbury seems to be the representative of the 
Lord of Badenock who was the head of the family. 




Charles Cumings 



II. 

AS COLLEGE STUDENT— ENLISTMENT. 

The spring of 1861 found Mr. Cumings a student in 
Oberlin College, an institution which has always occupied an 
advanced position on the subject of slavery and the natural 
and political equality of all men without regard to race or 
color. There was doubtless no place in all the north where a 
keener interest was taken in the exciting questions of the day. 
The great political campaign through which the nation had 
passed, resulting in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the 
presidency, engaged the most serious and earnest attention of 
all. The reported threats of secession on the part of certain 
southern states furnished the theme of daily discussion among 
faculty and students. Every student was thoroughly informed 
by personal examination of the questions involved, and had 
reached his own conclusion. The college became a school of 
patriotism. 

The laws of the college emphatically forbade the organi- 
zation of military companies of any description. Now. the 
students, just at this time, recognized the pressing need of a 
fire company — a new necessity for the better security of the 
school property and the encouragement of the highest literary 
attainments. In their loyalty to the college, they determined 
to form a volunteer fire company. The organization was ac- 
complished with great enthusiasm, and the largest fire com- 
pany in Ohio was the result. To secure precision of move- 
ment when engaged in fighting a fire, they practiced almost 
daily military evolutions. This was continued for several 
months, the prospect of fighting (fire?) becoming ever more 
pressing. Wooden imitations of guns were manufactured, and 



24 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

the "Fire Company" was thoroughly drilled in the manual of 
arms. We are not informed as to the number of times the 
company was called out to extinguish conflagrations. The col- 
lege authorities "winked at" these slight innovations; and 
before the war ended this " Fire Company " furnished four 
generals besides many officers of lower rank; and the blood 
of these erstwhile " firemen " was shed on almost every im- 
portant battlefield of the Great Civil War. 

When the news of the attack upon Fort Sumter was 
flashed over the continent, studies in Oberlin College, as in so 
many of our northern institutions of learning, were neglected 
— in some cases practically at an end. All thought and con- 
versation were upon the ominous events of the day, and the 
probable outcome. To many this was the beginning of an in- 
terest in political affairs which only increased with passing 
years. The next evening a public meeting was held in the 
great church. Three thousand people packed the building. 
Excitement was at its height, but held well under restraint. 
A few short, stirring speeches were made. The Marsellaise 
Hymn was sung by a great choir of two hundred trained 
voices, accompanied by the great organ and, in the chorus, by 
the village brass band, while, outside the building, church bells 
rang and cannon roared. War enthusiasm was at white heat. 
Two companies were formed and filled with students — the 
" Fire Company " much in evidence. Their services were 
offered to the Government on the morning of the following 
day, and one company was accepted. The other company to 
which Mr. Cumings belonged was declined as not likely to be 
needed. How little was known at that time of the magnitude 
of the task in hand ! It is probably well that it was gradually 
revealed. 

The young patriot took up his studies anew with what 
patience he could command after such a disappointment. But 




Henry H. Cumings 
Student at Oberlin College 



STUDENT LIFE 



27 



the call for three hundred thousand men was issued in 1862, 
and he could resist no longer. He returned to his home in 
Lake County, Ohio, and enlisted in a regiment then being 
formed and rendezvoused in camp at Cleveland. This regi- 
ment was mustered into the service as the One Hundred and 
Fifth Volunteer Infantry. Air. Cumings received a commis- 
sion of First Lieutenant of Company '* D," most of whose 
members came from Painesville and vicinity. About this time 
General Buell was forced back from Middle Tennessee by Gen- 
eral Bragg, and General Kirby Smith was moving into East- 
ern Kentucky. The importance of immediate re-enforcements 
was so pressing that, without arms, the regiment was hurried 
to the front. Recei\-ing arms and equipment at Covington, 
Kentucky, the raw recruits were whirled by rail to Lexington 
and thence towards Richmond. Before reaching their destina- 
tion, news came announcing the defeat of our forces under 
General Nelson by Kirby Smith. Thus the One Hundred and 
Fifth Ohio was hurled into the midst of the conflict. 

The standing of Mr. Cumings in his college studies was 
so satisfactory that he maintained his position in his class, and, 
though in the army at commencement time, was graduated 
with honor. 

Ours was not a military nation. Wq had little prepara- 
tion for war. The regular army was so small that it might, 
we would almost think, be considered a negligible quantity. 
The first advantage was on the side of the South. The ablest 
commanders were there. Arms and ammunition were there. 
The South had l)een expecting a conflict and had already made 
preparations. They were roused ; we were not. The North 
must create armies and discover generals to command them ; 
must forge weapons, manufacture clothing, build fortifications 
— do everything almost from the foundation. We had marks- 
luen capable, in their own way, of handling a gun; but undis- 



28 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

ciplined, not accustomed to submit absolutely to authorities, 
and educated in the arts of peace. They could furnish the 
raw material out of which armies could be made. 

But when the call for volunteers came, the response was 
magnificent. They came from all professions and all ranks : 
farmers left their fertile acres, day laborers left their jobs, 
clerks left their counters, bookkeepers left their ledgers, mer- 
chants left their stores, lawyers left their briefs, doctors left 
their pills and plasters, ministers left their pulpits, teachers left 
their schools, mechanics lay down their instruments of labor, 
peddlers dropped their packs, students closed their books, 
seminary and college halls were left vacant — such a gathering 
for an army the world had never seen ! 

The average of intelligence among our soldiers was very 
high. When a commander of any of our armies in the field 
wanted any kind of work done, he had only to call for volun- 
teers from the line or the ranks and competent men were al- 
ways found : bridge builders, experts in electricity, it mattered 
not what. The number of students and scholars in the army 
was something to excite comment. And studies went on: 
miscellaneous reading, college studies, special courses. In 
prisons classes were formed in various branches and taught by 
experienced teachers. There were societies and debating 
clubs in regiments and companies with regular meetings held 
in their tents, and even on the march not wholly neglected. 
And then there were individual students who spent every 
leisure hour in useful reading and study. We know one young 
man, a soldier in the ranks, and but a boy, who, among other 
subjects, pursued the following wide range: the complete 
works of Virgil, Greek Testament, Gray's great work on 
Anatomy — while in the hospital — Phrenology, Stenography, 
three branches of science, several theological treatises, and 




Henry H, Cumings 
Student 



THE " WAR DIARY " 



31 



mechanics. He always had one or more books with him 
whether in camp, field, or hospital. Books were picked up. 
" confiscated," and everything- in the way was read. 

Captain Cumings was a great reader of books during his 
army life, as will be shown later. 

A " Diary " conscientiously kept furnishes the materials 
for the most trustworthy history, and withal is a very inter- 
esting piece of literature. It is the history of an individual 
living and acting within an en\-ironment which contributes 
largely toward making him what he is in this world of men 
and things. Some passages may be cold and mechanical; but 
others throb with life and burn with passion. Now and then 
the pen is dipped in the heart's blood and punctuates its 
thoughts with passages from which the lightnings flash. 
There, too. are revealed the real battles, those fought beneath 
a private hat where the true man seeks to reign as king over 
himself and to be crowned as conqueror, too. The diary is 
written amidst the whirlwind of events while they are still 
fresh. There is no chance for mistakes through defective 
memory. The writer reveals himself as he is — his acts, his 
thoughts, his hopes, his plans, his ambitions, his disappoint- 
ments. It is not a complete disclosure; that were an impossi- 
bility, and even if possible, it were a folly. It would make 
him a traitor to himself. 

Even voluntary misstatements or exaggeration of excel- 
lencies would probably come to light, and thus become an un- 
intended and unexpected revelation of character. 

Idle historic reliability of the records of a diary is not, 
however, to be overestimated. This is evident from the cir- 
cumstances under which it is written. The entry must be 
made before the causes, reasons and results can be fully 
known — except within very narrow limits. Second-hand in- 



32 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

formation must be received with still greater caution. Rumors 
are to be received only as rumors. These causes of error or 
insufficient statement are to be especially emphasized in the 
case of diaries written during the excitement of a military 
campaign. There is little opportunity for careful and critical 
composition. The tent or the campstool in the field were 
patrician accommodations for literary effort. But, late at 
night after a steady march of twenty-four hours with every 
bone aching; or on the battlefield with the roll of musketry, 
the roar of cannon, the scream of shell, and the clang of sabre 
in the ears, and with the din and confusion of the conflict on 
every side, with only a minute or two to spare, is not most 
favorable for communion with a diary. And criticisms on the 
conduct of the campaign or the actions of soldiers, written un- 
der excitement or disappointment or passion are seldom abso- 
lutely just. While these and other circumstances weigh 
against the historic value of such documents, they more per- 
fectly reveal the person. We mistake,, therefore, when we en- 
deavor to correct the text of the diary. Read as it is, in blood 
and under fire, and we get out of it much reliable history, but 
what is more to our purpose now — we get the man. 

We shall make free use of the diary of Captain Cum- 
ings. We do not attempt a full record of his army life, only 
sufficient for our appreciation. It will not be in all its pages 
continuous. The omissions will doubtless outnumber the 
selected portions, but it will be a live record of a live man — 
and very much alive, too. 

It should also be recorded to the credit of its author that 
this diary is remarkable for the conscientiousness displayed in 
its composition, and its unusual accuracy. 





H. H. Cumings, Soldier 



III. 

THE " HELL-MARCH," AND THE BLOODY 

BATTLE. 

The " War Diary " is our chief authority for some inci- 
dents and facts which refer to the part Captain Cumings took 
in the Civil War. These are given largely in his own words. 
An introductory note dated April 9, 1863, tells his purpose: 

" I have been turning over in my mind for some time the 
propriety of keeping some record of my thoughts, experiences 
and the incidents occurring- immediately around me. I at- 
tempted this once, but for some reason, partly indolence, gave 
it up. I shall always value the diary and the exercise of writ- 
ing it if I commence one. Events that will figure in school- 
boy history to the end of our National existence are transpir- 
ing around me. My own observations, if preserved, will in 
future years be of high interest to me, if to no other. So I 
undertake this labor, thinking to record what I see, hear and 
think. 

" A running account of myself since I have been in the 
field may serve as an introduction. 

" The first of July, 1862, found me a restless student at 
Oberlin College. I belonged to the senior class and e-vpected 
to graduate in the latter part of August. But another call for 
troops being made, my restlessness increased. I wanted to be 
off to the field, where my heart had been since the opening 
of the war. Finally, one morning, I started for home, and 
received a recruiting commission, dated July 24, 1862, as a 
second lieutenant. August 12th, I think, I reported in camp. 
and August 21st, we started for Kentucky. A commission as 
first lieutenant was issued to me July 25th. Reaching Coving- 



36 HENRY HARRISON CUMIN GS 

ton, Ky., we remained there until paid off, armed and equipped. 
Proceeded to Lexington, Ky., remained there a few days, 
marched to assist our forces at Richmond, Ky., the day of the 
battle at that place, faced about at the Kentucky river, having 
learned of the disaster to our troops." 

Then came the terrible march which has few parallels in 
history, with which the boys of the One Hundred and Fifth, 
the ninth day after their muster-in, inaugurated their war ex- 
perience — back to Lexington, then through Versailles, Frank- 
ford and Shelbyville to Louisville. Says Mr. Cumings : " My 
experience in the amiy shows me no parallel. The dust was 
very deep, the weather excessively wai*m, and scarcely any 
water to be had. Men fell fainting with thirst, heat and 
fatigue, at every step, blood flowing from nose, mouth and 
ears." Albion W. Tourgee, in " The Story of the Thousand," 
calls it "The Hell-March," and says: 

" It had not rained for many weeks save the shower of 
the night before, which had hardly reached a mile west of 
Lexington. The dust lay ankle deep upon the hard, hot, lime- 
stone pike. The forces that preceded us with their numerous 
wagons, had raised a cloud which hung over the road, shutting 
out even the walls and fences on either side. The setting sun 
shone red and dim through the yellow mass. Each man was 
weighed down with knapsack and accoutrements. We knew 
nothing of our destination, or the length of the march before 
us. Had the knapsacks been burned at the outset, many more 
would have reached the goal. Men were invisible a few steps 
away ; near at hand, they could only be distinguished by their 
voices. There were frequent halts, but no rest. When the 
column ahead got jammed up on itself, we waited until it 
straightened out. Sometimes it was a minute, sometimes ten 
or twentv minutes. The vellow, acrid dust settled on beard 



THE " HELL MARCH " 37 

and hair, got into the eyes and mouth, and burned the parched 
throat; while the perspiration made muddy channels down 
every face. 

" The night fell hot and murky. The dust-cloud shut out 
the stars. By and by the moon rose; the night grew chill, but 
still the dust rose in choking clouds. The orders forbade de- 
tails to leave the road in search of water. ]\Ien were sent in 
advance, in hope that they might fill the canteens before the 
w^ells were drained. Long before midnight not a drop re- 
mained. In spite of orders, a few men were sent out to search 
for water. It was a strange country. The pools and streams 
were dry. The wells had been exhausted by those in front, 
Alany of the people w^ere compelled to haul w-ater from a dis- 
tance for domestic use. These details returned empty-handed 
as the others had done. About this time colored men came, one 
by one, and offered to bring water, to carry guns or knap- 
sacks — anything, if they could only follow us. Thev were 
loaded down with canteens and accompanied by a few men 
started for water. An hour after they returned, staggering 
under their loads of dripping canteens. Was ever water half 
so sweet ! Yet we had scarcely begun to know what thirst is. 

" The march would have been a severe one to seasoned, 
unencumbered veterans ; to these men, yet foot-sore, galled, 
and w^eary from their first long march, and weighted down 
with knapsacks, overcoats, and blankets, in addition to am- 
munition and accoutrements, it was terrible. After a time, 
the men ceased to scatter to the roadside when there came a 
halt. They had no strength to spare, and the roadside was al- 
most as dusty as the pike. So they merely knelt down in their 
places, bowed themselves forward to relieve the strain on 
the straps that galled and cut into the shoulder, and slept. In 
the moonlight they looked like heaps of dust, or pilgrims 
fallen asleep at prayer. At the word, they stumbled to their 



38 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

feet, sometimes awake, sometimes asleep, and staggered on. 
The ambulances were soon full. It \vas said, there were 
wagons somewhere in front in which those who were unable 
to go farther might be transported. But when a man can go 
no farther, such provision is of little good. We were the rear 
of the column ; back of us was only our own rear-guard and 
the enemy. 

" lliere were several alarms during the night ; firing, ofif 
at the left, then at the right, then in the rear. It was probably 
marauding bands of guerillas, wdio set upon our men in search 
of \\ater. Once we were stampeded. There had been a longer 
halt than usual. The dusty fugitives knelt in the road, or 
were stretched out beside it. There was an uproar at the rear; 
the sound of galloping hoofs upon the pike. There w^as a cry 
of ' Rebs ! ' 'Cavalry!' Every sleeping figure sprang sud- 
denly to life. Men ran over each other, stumbled, sprawled 
headlong, then rose and fled over the wall into an adjoining 
field ; across that to a bit of wood. When the pike was clear, 
a big, gray mule came charging down it, frisking his tail, and 
making night hideous with his discordant bray. 

" The foot-sore and exhausted soldiers were with dilTi- 
culty aroused from sleep. It is little wonder. Within four 
days they had marched seventy miles, laid in line of battle one 
night and marched all of another. Every foot was blistered; 
every muscle was sore. Heavy with sleep, they staggered to 
their places in the line, the stronger aiding the w-eaker ones. 
There were moans and curses. Some of the stoutest yesterday 
were now the faintest. Slowly we dragged our way to our 
position in the retreating column and stumbled painfully along 
in the darkness. * * * Men dropped unconsciously from 
heat and thirst. Water was still scarce. Every well and 
spring was drained. Men crow^ded about them, pushing, 
scrambling, often fighting for a few muddy drops. Tormented 



HARDTACK 39 

by heat and thirst, and ahiiost smothered by dust, we dragged 
through the long hours of that day, bivouacking at night by the 
roadside, with no water save what was found after a long 
search in some stagnant pools two miles away. 

" At one o'clock came the order to move, and we again 
plodded on, halting every few minutes, the men dropping on 
their faces in the dust, would be asleep almost before the com- 
mand was given. When the word came to march, many of 
them would rise and stagger on, still asleep. That day we 
marched until eight o'clock at night, and then bivouacked, for 
the first time since leaving Lexington, in a green field with 
plenty of good water. The next day, September 5th, a little 
after noon, we reached the suburbs of Louisville." 

Then followed several weeks of organization and drill. 
The regiment was assigned to the brigade of General William 
R. Terrill, with the Twenty-third and Eighteenth Illinois, and 
the One Hundred and First Indiana. The general organized 
a battery of artillery of five Napoleons, one three-inch rifled 
Parrott, and two twelve-pound howitzers. Mr. Cumings was 
assigned to the command of one section of two guns. 

For the first time the soldiers were made acquainted with 
the " ubiquitous and indestructible hardtack " of which Mr. 
Tourgee, writing in 1895, says: 

" A qualitative analysis of one issue of hardtack, made 
by one of the largest firms with which our government dealt at 
that time, showed such quantities of pipe-clay or ground white 
soapstone, as to lead a physician, who saw the results, to 
declare that thirty days of such food was enough to endanger 
the life of the strongest man. This adulteration was unques- 
tionably one of the causes of disease of the alimentary system 
in the Northern army ; and it is quite possible that this diet of 
alum and pipeclay is, to a large degree, responsible for the 
strong showing of intestinal disease among the survivors. 



40 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

There is a poetic justice in the idea of a nation being taxed for 
pensions to soldiers whom it allowed to be poisoned while 
fighting in its defense." 

The pursuit of General Bragg began October i. 
" Through the incompetency or treason of General Buell, 
he w^as allowed to mass his force and hurl it upon us. After 
an exceedingly fierce engagement of twenty minutes or a half 
hour, we were driven back, our guns captured and most of our 
horses shot. Here, too, we lost nearly one-half of our men. 
At dark the engagement ceased. The enemy wisely did not 
renew it in the morning, but now our gallant general must 
show himself. A strong position was chosen, the army w^as 
disposed for battle, the wonders of strategy appeared before 
our eyes. With great edification we watched the admirable 
disposition of the forces and all the little ct cetcras of the ac- 
complished soldier, the great strategist, the unequalled dis- 
ciplinarian. But all this time the enemy was running away tak- 
ing along the spoil that they had come for. After four or five 
days' delay we moved slowly so as not to interfere with the 
enemy in case any untoward accident should delay him. Well 
this farce ended, we retraced our steps, turned to the left, and 
the most of the army proceeded to Nashville, Tenn. Our 
brigade was sent to Mumfordsville, Ky., an important post 
half way between Louisville and Nashville on the L. & N. R. 
R. Here 1 was detailed as Post Quartermaster. The brigade 
remained here a month and was then moved forward. I re- 
mained as Post O. M. till the first of March when I returned 
to my regiment now at Murfreesboro, Tenn. Soon after re- 
turning, our brigade, under command of Col. A. S. Hall, of 
mv regiment, went out in the direction of Liberty, Tenn., on 
a scout. While returning and near Milton, thirteen miles from 
camp, we were attacked by General John H. Morg-an, with 
three times our number of rebel troops, mostly mounted in- 



GENERAL BUELL 41 

fantry. A column of tlie enemy pushed up past our right to 
reach our rear and was repulsed by the Eighteenth Illinois. 
My regiment remained as a support to the artillery, which was 
gradually falling back to a crest over which our road passed 
a short distance ahead. Here we finally halted. The right, 
our regiment, was deployed as skirmishers to the rear and 
front on the southern side of the road. I was on the front 
near the road. While we were making this movement the One 
Hundred and First Indiana and One Hundred and Twenty- 
third Illinois which had fallen back to a position opposite us, 
on the other side of the road were vigorously attacked by the 
enemy wdiose left flank also engaged us. Our regiment was 
partially flanked, fell back a little, rallied and reinforced by 
five companies of the Eighteenth Illinois handsomely repulsed 
the enemy. He then retired and opened a vigorous shelling 
with a view to dismounting our artillery and shelling us out. 
Most of his shots fell near me and I had many narrow escapes 
but ^^•as unhurt. At fi\-e o'clock the enemy withdrew, having 
sustained heavy loss. The next day we returned to camp and 
have remained here ever since." 

The opinion of Captain Cumings as to the generalship of 
General Buell was far from flattering to that gentleman. 
He was not alone in uncomplimentary criticisms. Speaking 
of his pursuit of General Bragg, Mr. Tourgee says : 

" Two days after Bragg had started on his march Buell 
telegraphed to the commanding officer at Alurfreesboro : 
' Could a good battlefield be chosen about ]\Iurfreesboro, 
affording position for the flanks and rear of a large army? 
Report in as much detail as possible in cipher.' 

" Having thus advertised for a battlefield, he gave the 
order to concentrate on Nasln-ille. leaving Bragg to pass un- 
disturbed through a difficult region scarce a score of miles 
from the left of his armv, and cross the Cumberland at his 



42 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

leisure. In this retreat, General Buell displayed his best quali- 
ties as a commander. His arrangements were perhaps, the 
most perfect ever made for such a movement. As if on re- 
view, his army moved in the exact order prescribed for the 
various divisions and detachments. From Huntsville, Decatur, 
Bridgeport, Stevenson, Battle Creek, McMinnville, Decherd, 
and all the scattered intervening posts, the retreat began on 
schedule time, and was conducted with admirable precision. 
It was one of the most masterly retreats ever planned, as why 
should it not be, since there was none to oppose or obstruct, to 
hasten or hinder? In order to secure its complete success, 
General Buell asked, with urgent importunity, that Grant 
would send, with all possible haste, two divisions to swell his 
army, already greater than that of the enemy from whom he 
fled, while that enemy romped leisurely down the western 
slope of the Cumberland mountains into the fertile plains of 
Kentucky. This was done, and the movement was completed 
without the least variation from schedule time. Not a man or 
a wagon was lost, as, indeed, none could well be, unless they 
strayed from the line of march, since there was no enemy in 
front or rear for half a hundred miles, save one who was 
marching away from Nashville as eagerly as Buell was press- 
ing toward it. 

'' When his army was finally encamped upon the banks 
of the Cumberland, Bragg had already crossed that river, and 
was preparing to fall upon Mumfordsville. Whether the com- 
mander of the Army of the Ohio stopped in his march to the 
rear to inspect the battlefield for which he had advertised, 
near Murfreesboro, or not, is not now ascertainable; but 
that he still believed that Bragg was merely maturing some 
fell plan to compass his destruction, there is abundant evi- 
dence, as also that it required the whole force of the national 
administration to start him from Nashville on that leisurely 



BATTLE OF PERRYVILLE 43 

march he finally made so close upon the rear of Bragg's army, 
that the dust of their passage was hardly settled when his ad- 
vance guard arrived. Only the most consummate skill could 
have avoided a collision with the army in his front, and in- 
ferior to him in numbers, or delayed his march long enough 
to permit the junction of the Confederate commander and his 
lieutenant in the heart of Kentucky." 

In the battle of Perry ville, fought October 8, 1862, the 
One Hundred and Fifth lost one man out of every three. It 
was their " Baptism of Fire." General Bragg in his account 
of the engagement says : " For the time engaged, it was the 
severest and most desperately contested engagement within 
my knowledge." General McCook declared it to be " the 
bloodiest battle of modern times for the numbers engaged on 
our side." Parsons' Battery did some terrible fighting, though 
Captain Cumings in his journal does not speak of his personal 
part in the conflict. From other sources we learn that he 
served his guns with great gallantry. In his account of the 
battle, at a later date, he says : " I commanded one section 
composed of two twelve-pounders, and that day my section 
liad the right of the battery and went into position at the right 
of the line just at the right of the position that the One Hun- 
dred and Fifth Ohio soon took. Being on the right we were 
able to stay by our guns longer than the other detachments of 
the battery. The last gun fired from the battery was my right 
gun. which I fired with my own hands. General Terrill was 
with us. directing the w^orking of the guns during most of the 
short engagement. General Jackson passed me and spoke to 
me but a moment before he fell. The enemy took all our guns 
except one howitzer, which being in the rear did not have time 
to get into action." Mr. Tourgee speaks of the end: 

" There was a clang of bayonets. The left companies 
surged forward to the front of the battery. Cumings, of ours, 



44 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

fired the two right gims, double-shotted with canister, full in 
the faces of the enemy, then almost at the muzzles of the 
pieces, and with his few remaining men dashed through our 
ranks to the rear under cover of the smoke. We would have 
cheered them but were too busy with our own work to give 
more than a flash of the eye to their gallantry." Two-thirds 
of all the men of the battery had been killed or wounded. 

Colonel Porter of the Sixth Tennessee reports : " It was 
here, at the fence and between it and the point wdiere the bat- 
tery was in position, that this regiment sustained its greatest 
loss. Here was the hottest part of the engagement." Lieuten- 
ant-Colonel Buford, of the Ninth Tennessee, was wounded 
and two company commanders and the color-bearer killed in 
the final charge upon the battery. Lieutenant-Colonel W. 
Frierson, of the Twenty-ninth Tennessee, speaks of the fire 
as " such a storm of shell, grape and minie balls as no troops 
scarcely ever before encountered." 

Elsewhere Captain Cumings gives a brief account of his 
connection with the battery : " We worked and drilled un- 
tiringly to get our battery into shape and learn to handle it. 
Our general spent his leisure time among us instructing us and 
inspiring us with his enthusiasm. We began to feel confidence 
in our skill and powers and long for the day when we could 
show the enemy what we could do with our guns. I may men- 
tion that we got over all such longing forever during the first 
campaign. On the first day of October, 1862, we set out from 
Louisville under General Buell (McCook's Corps) in the direc- 
tion of Danville, Ky. Our advance began skinnishing almost 
immediately with the enemy. They fell back steadily, how- 
ever, until October 8th. We encountered them in force on 
Chaplin Hill near Perrysville, Ky. Our battery was thrown 
forward to the extreme left of the line. No reconnaissance in 
our front was made. A short distance in front of us and ex- 




Captain H. H. Cumings 



THE STUDENT INSTINCT 47 

tending far to our left was a dense woods which, as the event 
proved, was full of the enemy. They charged us at once. 
Their line extending far beyond and wrapping around our left 
poured down our line an enfilading fire. Our infantry sup- 
ports gave way ; we did not know enough to leave. We gave 
the enemy canister as fast as we could fire, but they soon 
routed us and took all our guns except one which did not get 
into action. We lost our patron, General Terrill, killed on the 
field. It was the hottest fire I ever experienced as you may 
well know when I state that we were under fire only about 
twenty minutes and in that time two-thirds of all the men of 
our battery on the field were killed or wounded. The battery 
was disbanded and I returned to my regiment." 

Captain Cumings was ever a student, and in a broad 
sense, and he read with understanding and discrimination. 
\\> may have frequent occasion to mention this thirst for 
knowledge. April 14, 1863, he wrote: 

" Finished ' Mill on the Floss.' It is a smooth, genial, 
well written work, possessing a considerable degree of humor, 
a fair insight into character and leaves the reader with puri- 
fied feelings and purposes, strengthened to virtue and nobility 
of character. Its conclusion is sad, but I do not know as I 
would change the plot. Tom Tulliver is an honest, upright, 
energetic person whom, in spite of his sternness and wilfulness 
one cannot help admiring. I like his clear, keen, stern, almost 
harsh sense of justice. It works badly with such exceptional, 
imaginative people as Maggie, but God give us more of it in 
the world. The people of the United States, or Northern part 
at least, have become so squeamish with regard to punishment 
that vice may almost be said to be at a premium." 

The next day we find this patriotic entry : " Have fin- 
ished reading a speech of Hon. H. G. Blake in Congress, in 
which he pins Vallandingham down finely as well as gets off 



48 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

a good deal of general truth for the benefit of Copperheads. I 
value the speech highly for the resolutions and addresses 
which it contains. The one from the soldiers of Ohio is full 
of pungent truth. The soldiers feel deeply the importance of 
the work in which they are engaged and will not hold him 
guiltless who tampers and trifles with this sacred cause. A 
tempest of fiery wrath and indignation is gathering in the 
heavens. Let skulking traitors in the North beware and hide 
their diminished heads before the storm bursts upon them in 
overwhelming fury. A great people is in arms. Their cause 
is just and sacred. It is our country born upon the battlefields 
of the revolution and consecrated now anew amid the smoke 
and thunder of battle.'' 



IV. 
THE TULLAHOMA CAMPAIGN. 

While the One Hiinch'ed and Fifth was at Mumfordsville, 
Kentucky, Captain Cumings was detached by General W. S. 
Rosecrans, who had succeeded General Buell in command, and 
appointed Quartermaster of the Post. March i, 1863, he was 
relieved and joined his regiment which was now incorporated 
in the Fourteenth Army Corjjs. commanded by General George 
H. Thomas, and now in camp near ]\Iurfreesboro. Tennes- 
see. The battle of Milton was fought on the eighteenth of 
March, and General John H. Morgan suffered his first defeat. 

^^''ednesday, April 22, 1863. — " We began our march to- 
day soon after daylight. It rained during a greater part of the 
night, but I had so arranged my blankets that I kept dry. The 
men's blankets were thrown into the wagons and carried. 
\\q halted early in the afternoon and made arrangements for 
camping. Near the place we halted, there was a family in a 
terrible state of destitution. The mother was dead, the father 
old, and the children, two boys and a girl, young. The chil- 
dren were almost absolutely naked and nearly starved. Gen- 
eral Reynolds placed a guard over the house and sent them 
some provisions. About dark we moved on some five or six 
miles to the Liberty and Smithville pike and encamped about 
midnight two miles northwest of Smithville." 

Thursday. April 2^^, 1863. — " \\'e were aroused at 5 
o'clock a. m. and soon after resumed our march. We traveled 
in the direction of Liberty on the pike. Colonel ^^'ilder with 
the mounted troops took roads on our flanks. Li the course 
of our march we descended Snow Hill a distance of nearly two 
miles. There seems to be here a range of very high hills or 



50 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

mountains, east and south of them there is a high table land, 
below or west and north a level tract of considerable extent. 
About noon we reached Liberty where we made a short halt. 
Just before reaching this place we passed a rebel camp which 
had been deserted just before in the greatest haste. They had 
burned one wagon and left considerable loose baggage. After 
a short halt in Liberty we moved on. When we had proceeded 
a short distance we saw the flames rising from the burning 
commissary building and grist mill used by the rebels. After 
marching two miles we came to camp in a fine grove at the 
junction of the Lebanon and Murfreesboro pikes. Our 
camp is a very fine one. It is frequently occupied by the rebels. 
It is a ridge covered with trees, a river on one side, a creek on 
the other side and a fine spring near. Near us were confined 
the rebel prisoners. I went down to see them, had a long con- 
versation with a rebel captain in Colonel Cluke's regiment of 
Morgan's command. He is a Kentuckian of wealth, talent, 
and education, I should say. He participated in the Morgan 
raid into Kentucky last winter. We compared notes extensive- 
ly with reference to that expedition. He also participated in 
the Hartsville affair and gave me an account of that business. 
From his account I am perfectly satisfied that ordinary vigi- 
lance would have saved us this disgraceful affair." 

Monday, April 24, 1863. — " Today we have spent in 
camp, waiting I su])pose to allow our mounted force time to 
scour the country. These hills are full of rebels. The guer- 
rilla forces that we are hunting live mostly from the country 
and operate very independently, so that they are necessarily 
very much scattered. We find small squads everywhere. An 
artillery man last night, while strolling just outside the camp, 
captured a rebel who was riding boldly up. The day we have 
spent in bathing, fishing and resting. I attempted to spear 
fish, but did not succeed. A fine joke was played this evening 



MARCHING AND CAMPING 51 

upon a certain captain of our regiment, Captain Sweet. He 
and Captain Riker went out to visit the pickets. Wagon Mas- 
ter Potter heading a small party ' captured them,' Potter and 
his party being disguised as rebels. According to arrangement 
Captain Riker soon escaped; Sweet was blindfolded and led 
about in different directions, made to believe he was taken far 
from our camp, questioned closely with respect to our forces, 
etc.. induced to sign a parole of honor to report to Morgan at 
McMinnville in ten days and even to promise to take the oath 
of allegiance to the Southern Confederacy when he finally es- 
caped, jumping off a bank 15 or 20 feet high. The affair fur- 
nished a good deal of amusement." 

Saturday, April 25, 1863.—" At 8 o'clock this morning 
we marched; marched very rapidly and went into camp early 
in a grove to the left of the pike and ten miles from Lebanon, 
having marched today fourteen miles. Several rebel wagons 
loaded with flour were captured today. Just before we camped 
a lady came from her house to the road and waved her hand- 
kerchief to us; occasionally indicating her pleasure at seeing 
us. Such a demonstration is rare, very rare for this country, 
though there are many professed Unionists here. Very much 
demonstration on either side cannot be expected where both 
parties occupy the country successively. We begin to experi- 
ence some of the inconvenience of warm climates in the great 
abundance of insects, etc. I awoke this morning feeling very 
unwell. Had a very severe chill, set in after rising: this was 
succeeded by nausea and headache, but the vigorous march 
was the best remedy and night found me feeling quite well. 
After fixing my bed and shelter I had Pack bring a candle and 
I read for some time the ' Fortunes of Nigel.' " 

Sunday, April 26, 1863.—" Marched at 8 o'clock at a 
moderate rate; when perhaps a mile and a half from Lebanon 
we passed a house on the porch of which the whole family 



52 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

were assembled waving their handkerchiefs and giving other 
tokens of approbation. They are earnestly Union in their 
sentiments, and the soldiers as they passed showed their appre- 
ciation of their favor. Two young ladies of the family, who 
appeared to be quite beautiful, made me long for a detail as 
picket or safeguard thereabouts. \Yt passed on through the 
city and encamped in a lovely camp a mile beyond town. I 
saw very manv pretty girls who certainly cannot accuse any 
of us of insensibility to their charms. We made ourselves very 
comfortable and enjoyed very much the prospect of several 
clays' sojourn here." 

Monday, April zy, 1863. — " This morning after lounging 
about camp I at 9 o'clock went to Lebanon. I amused myself till 
I o'clock picking up several trinkets of interest, among the rest 
a copy of 'Peregrine Pickle' by Smollett. I had quite a conver- 
sation with two citizens, one a merchant, upon the war. They 
did not dispute my ideas, acknowledged they were well off in 
the Union, doubted whether they should ever be as well off out 
of it and earnestly wished the old state of things could be re- 
stored. They admitted that the South was now in a terrible 
condition and the future prospects gloomy . How^ much of this 
was due to the moral effect of the blue blouses and Springfield 
rifles seen about the streets I will not attempt to say. After 
returning the captain (Riker) went to town. I laid down to 
examine and commence reading niy new acquisition, 'Peregrine 
Pickle.' It seems full of humor. At 4 or S o'clock an order 
to ' fall in ' suddenly came and in a few minutes we were all 
ready to move out. We marched back the road we came to- 
wards Liberty and encamped at about 10 o'clock p. m. about 
eight miles from Lebanon. I was picket in advance. What's 
up is the question. We shall see." 

Saturday, May 30, 1863. — " This evening a meeting of 
officers was held at Captain Spalding's quarters for the pur- 



THE CASE OF CAPTAIN SPA ULDING 53 

pose of framing- an expression of our feelings towards Cap- 
tain Canfield who was dismissed from the service on account 
of the unfortunate capture of a forage train under his com- 
mand. In our communication to him we expressed our great 
personal friendshii) and respect, our appreciation of his bravery 
and patriotism and our regrets for his misfortune. He un- 
doubtedly erred greatly in his management of that unfortunate 
expedition ; still we cannot help pitying him and regretting that 
an officer so gentlemanly, brave and patriotic should have 
made such a mistake. After our adjournment we proceeded 
to the major's quarters, the major having recently received a 
cask of ale, and by sundry hints led him to suspect that we were 
drv, whereupon three foaming pails of ale quickly dissipated 
our raging thirst. The major is universally rated a good fel- 
low ; he has always held that character among us." 

Sunday, May 31, 1863. — "The day passed quickly; re- 
mained in camp. This evening Colonel Hall came over in 
great displeasure at the action of last evening with reference 
to Captain Canfield. He called upon Captains Riker and Ed- 
wards and insisted upon the withdrawal of those resolutions, 
or their reconsideration. After discussing the matter till 
nearly midnight they adjourned." 

Monday, June i, i<S63. — "The great topic this morning 
is the Canfield resolutions. The general conclusion seems to 
be to reconsider and revise them. Inspection appointed at 10 
o'clock. About 9 o'clock Colonel Hall came over and demand- 
ed of Captain Spalding to deliver up the Canfield resolutions, 
which happened to be temporarily in his possession. He of 
course refused, the paper being a private one containing noth- 
ing treasonable or improper, and an order of this sort being 
improper. Colonel Hall at once put Captain Spalding under 
arrest. Soon after he demanded it of Lieutenant Wallace, the 
secretarv, to whom the paper was transferred. Lieutenant 



54 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

Wallace paid no attention to the order, but took his company 
out upon inspection. Colonel Hall called him in and again 
demanded the paper. The lieutenant declined to give it up. 
He was at once put under arrest, a volley of curses poured up- 
on his head and he was given to understand that in a few days 
he should be most disgracefully dismissed from the ser^dce. 
The lieutenant was then conducted under guard to his quar- 
ters, his quarters were searched by the guard, and the paper 
forcibly removed. Soon after Captain Spalding and Lieuten- 
ant Wallace were confined to their quarters. The greatest in- 
dignation prevails among the officers ; nothing else is thought 
of or talked of. If the present course is followed up the One 
Hundred and Fifth will need a new set of line officers." 

Tuesdav, June 2. 1863. — " This morning three-fourths of 
the line officers have concluded to offer their resignations im- 
mediately unless the paper before spoken of is returned to 
Lieutenant Wallace and the two officers under arrest released. 
This Colonel Hall positively refused, so all are busy preparing 
resignations. This afternoon Colonel Hall came over, having 
perhaps begun to appreciate the fact that bullying will not 
work and finally ofl:"ered to restore everything to the old status 
and undo everything, if the officers would state in writing, 
what they have always stated verbally, the meaning of the 
resolutions to Captain Canfield. This was readily done, but, 
for some unexplained cause. Colonel Hall does not fulfill his 
share of the contract; perhaps he wishes to back water." 

\\^ednesday. Tune 3, 1863. — " This morning Captain 
Spalding demanded the charges against him and the nroposed 
action in his case. The resignations w^ere again brought forth 
to be handed in at once if the contract was not fulfilled. So 
Captain Spalding and Lieutenant Wallace were released, the 
paper returned and all proceedings stopped. Thus ends a 
quarrel which threatened, at one time, to cause the resignation 



CRITICISMS 55 

or dismissal of nearly every line officer in the regiment. The 
officers of the regiment possess more spirit than I supposed. 
There has been enough brow-beating and bullying with the 
officers of the regiment. They will never complain at disci- 
pline, they will obey all proper orders, cheerfully and with 
alacrity, l)ut they insist upon that respect and courtesv due to 
them as officers and gentlemen." 

Army life furnished many incidents of similar character. 
They seldom find a place in history, and yet have their import- 
ance. They present an interesting side of the character of our 
soldiers. The enlisted men could be made into the most mag- 
nificent fighting machine, subjected to severe discipline, 
schooled to endurance, often displaying the loftiest heroism 
and devotion, bound in loyalty to their country — and to their 
comrades, too — by ties stronger than death ; and yet, while 
yielding absolute obedience to all military commands, main- 
taining their own independent personality. Superior position 
did not to them prove superior wisdom or greatness. They 
were responsible and free citizens before they were soldiers. 
They were men before their enlistment, they were no less men 
after they donned the blue. 

There are two classes of so-called superiors in both civil 
and military life. The first possesses the stuff, the other tries, 
though with poor success, to ape it. The one is true, the other 
a lie. The one is natural, the other, an attempted imitation. 
The one is conscious of personal worth, the other is conscious 
of himself. The one commands by character and ability, the 
other by bluster and assumption. The one owes his position 
to recognized merit, the other to accident or unworthy motives 
and plans. The one is loved, the other is tolerated, sometimes 
feared, often despised and hated. The soldiers did not often 
misjudge their superiors. They could read them, and did read 



56 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

them. There were different opinions, to be sure, as always will 
be the case even between a very small number of persons and 
upon any subject of thought or observation. 

The soldiers claimed the right to express their opinions ; 
and when there was an act of tyranny they surely could, with- 
out any breach of military discipline or honor, show their sym- 
jDathy for the sufferer. They might also express a dignified 
protest to their superior officer. They were qualified to do 
this, for many of them were tlie equals of their superior offi- 
cers in every respect except position. There was sometimes — 
this probably always showed unwisdom — almost an open re- 
bellion. We knew a regiment in the early part of '6i, wdiich 
while at Albany, N. Y., was furnished with the old Springfield 
musket which they carried as far as Washington, but stacking' 
their muskets on the parade ground refused to cross the Poto- 
mac until better armed. After some delay they were persuaded 
to take their guns again, and were soon armed with Enfield 
rifles. On another occasion, after a " knapsack drill "' of sev- 
eral hours on a hot August afternoon, a debating society con- 
sisting of a little group of soldiers met and passed unanimously 
by a " groaning vote " preamble, and resolution requesting the 
colonel of the regiment to read Matthew xxiii, 4 : " Yes, they 
bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on 
men's shoulders : but they themselves will not move them with 
their finger." Wt do not know what influence this mav have 
had, but that was the last " knapsack drill " in that regiment 
during the whole term of sen'ice. 

The march on the Tullahoma campaign began Wednes- 
day, June J4, 1863, when Captain Cumings writes: 

" This morning we were in line at 4 o'clock and moved 
soon afterwards, first to Alurfreesboro and then in the 
direction of Manchester. Colonel Wilder's brigade of mount- 
ed infantry and artillery led the advance and kept the road 



IN LINE OF BATTLE 



57 



clear so that our march for some miles was unmarked by inci- 
dent worth noting. In the later portion of the forenoon and 
early part of the afternoon we heard occasional cannonading- 
on the Shelhyx'ille pike along which McCook is advancing. 
About the middle of the afternoon we halted to camp; about 
the same time firing began a mile in advance. We were soon 
ordered forward ; the rebels shelled us as we approached but 
without effect ; the firing both musketry and artillcrv became 
very heavy, but before we reached the point. Colonel W'ilder's 
men had repulsed the rebels and (lri\'en them t(T a new position. 
We were formed in a strong position and made no further ad- 
vance this evening. The Spencer repeating rifle with which the 
mounted men are armed did splendid work. The rebels are 
armed with Enfield guns. It commenced raining early this 
morning and has rained hard all day and will probably rain 
hard all night. Aly rubber blankets are in the wagon far to 
the rear. I have been soaked to the skin all day ; the weather 
is getting worse and we are allowed no fires ; hard bread is our 
only food, water our only drink, still all are cheerful." 

Thursday, June 25, 1863. — " I write this lying flat on the 
ground, the regiment in line of battle. The bullets are whist- 
ling a few feet over my head, a vigorous cannonading has 
been going on but has now ceased. A short time ago the 
pickets were firing rapidly, but there is now a sort of lull. 
Not more than twenty shots a minute immediately in front of 
us. It is now about sundown. Last night in spite of great 
fatigue, being wet to the skin and chilly, I slept quite well for 
the first portion of the night; the last portion the rain was too 
violent. About 5 o'clock a. m. I was sent out in charge of the 
picket in our front. Lieutenant Lockwood was with me. My 
force was thirty-eight men. At first the rebels paid but little 
attention to me but a body of sharpshooters posted themselves, 
and about an hour after I took command of the picket, fired a 



58 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

heavy volley upon myself and a half dozen men whom I was 
posting. Fortunately no one was hurt, although the bullets 
came thick and fast and close. After that a moment's exposure 
would draw a bullet from the rebel sharpshooters. I was fired 
upon many times, fortunately escaping, neither, strange to say, 
were any of my men hurt. Lieutenant Lockwood's head was 
almost grazed by a ball while we were standing together. 
After watching the movements of the enemy and keeping up a 
prolonged skirmish with them till noon we were relieved by a 
party under command of Captain Spalding and Lieutenant 
Wallace. Just before being relieved, Barnes or ' Barney ' 
came up from the wagons with rubber blankets and a warm 
breakfast of boiled potatoes, pork and coffee, and hardtack. 
A drink of whiskey and the ceasing of the rain completed my 
happiness. Returning to camp I first dried my coat lining, 
then my socks, and then I laid down. The rebel sharpshooters 
know our location and keep up constant firing upon us, which 
has so far passed over our heads. Webster was wounded last 
night, I hear by a shell. He got separated from us by accident 
as we moved up to the battlefield last night, attempted to find 
us, could not, went in with some of Wilder's men that he found 
and came out with a wound in the ankle. He is a good boy, 
will fight. It is now quite dark ; the prospect for a fight, which 
was good, when I commenced to write, has ceased. After 
writing the above we were moved back to another ridge one- 
half mile to the rear, our place in line being taken by Rous- 
seau." 

Fridav, Tune 26, 1863. — " Early this morning we were 
ordered into line. Just as we were preparing to move Tom 
King of Madison, rode up. His battery, ' Southwick's,' is re- 
ported near. After marching a short distance we passed Cap- 
tain Southwick. We moved one-half mile to the rear and 
turned into a field and rested in place upon the side of a high 



GENERAL ROSECRANS 59 

liill. It rained incessantly and very liard. About 11 o'clock 
we were marched to our position in line of battle. The whole 
of our corps seems to be here and troops have been moving 
rapidly all the morning to various positions. Evidently the 
time has come for routing the enemy out of Hoover's Gap. 
We moved forward to a position on the extreme left of our 
line; to our right Loomis' Battery was planted; in rear of us 
was the Eighteenth Indiana Battery, I think. Our brigade 
fomied for battle thus : From right to left. Seventy-fifth In- 
diana, One Hundred and Fifth Ohio, One Hundred and First 
Indiana, and Sixty-eighth Indiana in rear. Wilder's mounted 
brigade passed around, to our right. Captain Crowell with 
Companies ' A ' and ' G ' was thrown forward, in front of our 
battalion. They immediately began a skirmish with a com- 
pany of rebel cavalry. We moved forward in line of battle, 
one-half to three-fourths of a mile, expecting every moment a 
\-olley from the enemy, our artillery throwing shells over our 
heads. But the enemy made no stand and we readily obtained 
possession of the ridge we aimed for. There was much can- 
nonading all the time, but the rebel force is gone and only a 
mounted force in the rear is to be seen. About i o'clock we 
moved forward on the Manchester pike. We marched ten or 
twelve miles, nothing of interest occurring. Here we found 
our provisions and blankets had been left Ijehind, so we cut 
boughs for beds, ate hardtack for supper, and laid down to 
sleep." 

The next day they reached ^Manchester, Tennessee. 

" While lying here General Rosecrans, staff and escort 
passed us ; each regiment as it passed raised a cheer which he 
acknowledged by raising his hat. He wore over his uniform 
a large gum blanket and an ordinary civilian's black felt hat. 
His face habitually wears a smiling expression, not an open, 
careless, good natured look but an intense, keen expression 



6o HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

and look very imperfectly covered with an outward smile. He 
is of a sandy complexion, much of the florid, an acquilline 
nose, a head that reminds me much of President Finney's. 
Indeed there is much likeness in the character of the two men, 
strength of will, intensity of feeling, nervous, almost fierce 
energy of expression, religious enthusiasm, the same extreme 
tendencies, predisposition to the ultra, the same power of be- 
lie\'ing. Their complexions and temperaments are very simi- 
lar. General Rosecrans has a singular way of removing his 
hat in acknowledging salutes ; he grasps it with the entire 
right hand by the top of the crown near the back and right 
side." 

Sunday, June 28, 1863. — " I wandered about town awhile 
this evening ; the male residents that I saw are very quiet and 
indifferent ; the females are mostly very vindictive or con- 
temptuous in their actions towards the soldiers. It is amusing 
to observe the pains some take to manifest their feelings. My 
opinion or estimate of Southern refinement has been very much 
lowered from what it was even recently, by observing the man- 
ner in which the women show their feelings. By manner I 
mean attitudes, gestures and language. Some of the ' bon-ton ' 
young ladies expressed the wish to some of the officers of this 
regiment that the earth would open up and let the ' Yankees ' 
drop into hell, that they might visit his Satanic majesty at a 
high rate of speed, etc., all expressed in language common 
enough perhaps in camp but never heard in respectable society 
in Ohio. In my, necessarily, very limited experience among 
people of this state, I have observed among ' ladies ' a shock- 
ingly fref[uent use of slangy phrases, by-words and profane 
expressions. The truth is the entire society here is coarse, 
brutalized, degraded: that refinement and purity of thought, 
feeling and actions, whicli we see in Northern ladies and which 
is the foundation of our great respect for women as women 



TULLAHOMA 6i 

we see little of here. Shnery in xarious ways has destroyed 
all these (|iialities, has Ijroken down the harriers thrown ahout 
virtue, has corrupted the minds of the people, and made them 
coarse and sensual." 

The regiment encamped the next day within seven miles 
of Tullahoma. 

" Private forag-ing is the order of the day ; the camp is 
full of fresh meat. A drove of sheep, attempting to escape 
from some member of another regiment, lost their lives in an 
astonishingly brief period while trying to get through our 
camp. It would be much better if the commissaries would 
take this business into their hands, seize all the cattle, etc., and 
issue the meat regularly. Aside from the habits it begets in 
the men, it is attended with great waste. We are now on short 
rations with prospect of less soon and economy in food is an 
important item." 

Reaching Tullahoma July i, the " diary " continues: 

" The scene that presented itself would have delighted the 
fiercest southern hater. Most of the houses that were occupied 
had guards placed in them. The rest, a considerable portion, 
seemed to be given up to the soldiers. The streets resounded 
with the noise of demolition. The houses were torn down, 
everv conceivable article of furniture was carried off to the 
camps. Here a soldier was carrying a mahogany veneered 
bedstead, there another a corner cupboard of the size and ap- 
pearance of a hen coop, several more were carrying doors of 
all descriptions. In a fence corner sat a private leisurely 
contemplating his image in a gilt framed, oval shaped mirror, 
of some three feet in diameter. Other enterprising spirits had 
discovered a quantity of tobacco which they were carrying off 
in quantities varying from over tw^o hundred pounds down; 
cooking utensils of every description were rapidly making their 
way into camp. What use many of the articles could be ap- 



62 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

plied to one could not well conceive, but the soldiers seemed 
wild with the idea of emptying the town into their camp. In 
a house near where we halted sat two good looking young 
ladies weeping bitterly over the general destruction. While I 
regretted such a performance, I could feel no pity for the peo- 
ple. They have sown to the wind, let them reap the whirl- 
wind. Uniformly, whenever in these little towns, guards are 
established and quiet maintained, a soldier cannot pass along 
the street without insult. If the usual course had been pursued 
at Tullahoma, these same young ladies would likely have 
paraded themselves constantly near the street for the purpose 
of insulting so far as they could, by language and gestures 
every soldier and officer who might pass. If we behave as 
friends towards them they treat us as the most despised and 
hated enemies. Let them feel that hatred and enmity is mutual 
and, while the weak will be protected, they must remember 
what becomes them. After considerable halting in town we 
moved out nearly a mile southwest where we encamped. The 
whole region hereabouts has been a rebel camp. They left in 
such haste that they left many of their tents standing ; the road 
was strewn with cast-off articles. The fortifications which I 
saw were usually slight, breastworks and rifle pits. Woods and 
orchards have been cut down all around them within the last 
two or three days for the purpose of impeding our march and 
giving them clear range. Evidently, the conclusion to fall 
back and not fight, had been suddenly taken." 

The first national holiday in the army called forth a burst 
of patriotism from the great army now in the field. Captain 
Cumings writes : 

" The Glorious Fourth of July from my earliest child- 
hood has been associated in my mind with the roar of can- 
non, the noise of fire crackers, the pompous oratory, the 
sonorous reading of the Declaration of Independence. We 



THE FOURTH OF JULY 63 

celebrate it today, but not as heretofore. The booming- of can- 
non is heard all day, but they are charged with shot and shell ; 
the crackle of fire crackers is deepened and strengthened to 
the report of rifies and the Declaration of Independence and 
the glorious ideas growing from it are acted and felt but not 
spoken. Liberty is defended, not proclaimed or celebrated. 
And the sight of brave men offering their lives in the cause of 
human liberty and happiness is worthy of the day with its 
sublime associations. All Hail, Ye Noble Sons of the Revolu- 
tion, your spirit is not dead. The ideas announced from Inde- 
pendence Hall have shaken the earth, and they will sway the 
minds of men to the end of time. Your descendants, proud of 
their heritage, are proving themselves worthy sons of their 
noble sires and proper recipients of your gift. I rejoice that 
I am an American, an inheritor of your glory, and I trust a 
sharer of the glory of today. We marched two and one-half 
miles today to Breakfield where wt encamped. A lively skirm- 
ish took place here yesterday, several casualties on both 
sides. A rebel colonel lies in an adjoining house desperately 
wounded." 

A year later we find the following : 

" A beautiful day ; we remained in camp until the middle 
of the forenoon. In front of us and distant nearly two miles 
the enemv could be plainly seen working like bees throwing up 
a breastwork along the summit of a ridge. About 10 o'clock 
a. m. we received orders to return to Marietta and garrison 
the town. This order was grateful enough after our long 
campaigning. Reached Marietta about the middle of the after- 
noon, camped in a dooryard in the eastern part of the town. 
Made sundry explorations about town in search of books, to- 
bacco, etc., in which I was somewhat successful. Most of the 
officers devoted themselves during the evening to the celebra- 
tion of the Fourth of July. Several found sufficient ' com- 
missary ' to become very merry." 



V. 
CHICKAMAUGA. 

Saturday, August i, 1863. — " This afternoon Captain 
Wilcox and myself went out three-fourths of a mile to visit 
a splendid view of scenery. It was the finest hy far I have ever 
seen. On the right as far as the eye could see extend the range 
of the Cumljerland Mountains, heanti fully undulating and ccjv- 
ered thickly with verdure. On the left a spur of the moun- 
tains struck out to the front some distance; while in front, 
reaching out till lost in the dim distance, was a beautiful val- 
ley dotted with farm houses, divided into groves and fields 
rich with verdure, the whole forming a most lovely panorama. 
After viewing this scene we went down the mountain a mile 
or so, \isited various objects of interest, the most prominent of 
which was a large spring which supplied a mill. The water 
was very cold and a strong current of cold air poured forth 
from the spring, condensing the moisture in the warm air and 
producing a fine fog or mist about the spring. We returned 
to camp highlv delighted with our explorations." 

Sunday, August 2, 1863. — " This morning Captain Wil- 
cox and myself extended our explorations. Descending the 
mountain at the same place, we visited a spring similar to the 
one mentioned yesterday, coming from a cave. Borrowing a 
lantern we entered the cave. Finding the bottom covered to a 
depth of several inches with water, we removed our shoes and 
stockings, rolled up our pants and proceeded to wade up the 
cave. It soon opened out into fine chambers containing some 
beautiful stalactitic formations, .\fter proceeding a quarter of 
a mile perhaps, our lamp suddenly began to grow dim and we 
hastily returned, succeeding in reaching the entrance to the cave 



66 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

just as our light went out. We had not sufficient Hght to ap- 
preciate the cave, but it seems to be a very fine one. After this 
we visited various farmers, talking with them on various sub- 
jects. 

" All the able-bodied men are either deserters from the 
rebel army or have spent the past year hiding out in the 
mountains to avoid being forced into the rebel army. They 
all express a hope of our success. Some of them I think are 
sincere in their attachment to the Union, but the most want 
peace and are indifferent as to which party triumphs ; desiring 
our success only as promising a more speedy termination of 
the war or at least relieving them, by our occupation of the 
country, from the terror of conscription. At one house we 
found two old men who live over the mountains near Chatta- 
nooga who were obliged to leave home a year since with Buell 
on account of Unionism. They told many horrible stories of 
rebel barbarities to Union men. I wish some ardent admirer 
at home of southern nobility, chivalry and all the array of pet 
names with wiiich they love to designate the admirable quali- 
ties of Southerners, could have heard the simple stories of 
these old men. They would have heard how old men were 
shot while at work in their fields, how families were driven 
from home and subjected to every hardship and privation which 
could be inflicted upon them, for the mere suspicion of loving 
the old flag ; how old men and mothers were tortured to extort 
from them the knowledge of the hiding places of their sons ; 
tied up and whipped ; hung till nearly dead, strangled till their 
tongues protrude, when they were seized and cut off ; how four 
old men, because they would not betray their sons received 
three hundred lashes on their naked bodies ; how others for a 
similar ofl"ence had their noses shot off, their faces being burn- 
ed and blackened with the powder ; in short every outrage 
which fiends could devise or devils execute, at which Satan 



INSTANCES OF MURDER AND CRUELTY 67 

himself should shudder, these old men narrated in a plain, sim- 
ple straightforward manner, giving names and dates and 
localities, many of them near us. Of course leaders in the 
armies did not attend to the details of these outrages, but they 
would never have been executed if proper means to prevent 
had been adopted. The truth is there exists in the slave states 
a strong element of barbarism ; acts of a similar character are 
not uncommon. I was told today by the wife of one of the 
farmers, the history of a neighbor recently caught in a gang 
of independent guerrillas or robbers. His name was Myers. 
His lirst exploit of note was when a boy of twelve or 
fourteen he murdered a little brother by pounding his 
head with stones and concealing the body in a hollow log. 
His father to save him from punishment, made oath that he 
was not twelve years of age ; when several years later a neigh- 
bor, passing along, discovered him at work at an old hollow 
tree blocking up the hollow with stones and pieces of wood 
and trying to set fire to the tree. The man, knowing the boy's 
evil disposition, suspected something wrong and asked what 
he was doing. Young Myers replied that he was trying to 
smoke a rabbit from the hollow. The neighbor still unsatisfied 
examined for himself and discovered the almost lifeless body 
of Mvers' sister whom he was trying thus to murder. All this 
was told with no appearance of being thought a case of very 
unusual wickedness ; indeed the people of this country look up- 
on such matters much more indifferently than would be the 
case in the North. The people that I meet, too, are much 
coarser, more uncultivated in every respect than those to be 
met with anywhere in a free state. Of course the wealthy and 
educated we see little of; they are nearly all active rebels." 

In an address prepared for a local G. A. R. Post, Captain 
Cumings gives an interesting account of some of the stirring 
events of this period. In a few cases there are to be found 



68 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

slight and unimportant differences from the records made at 
the time in his " diary." It is impossible to write a diary un- 
der such circumstances, wholly free from inaccuracies concern- 
ing- details which did not come under the personal obsei-vation 
of the author. We quote from this address — the only one of 
the many which has been preserved entire : 

" While preparations were being made for the campaign 
against Chattanooga we camped in a most delightful place on 
the top of Cumberland Mountains. It had been selected, 
shortly before the war, to be the site of a great Southern Uni- 
versity, where the aristocratic sons of the South heretofore 
largely dependent on northern colleges for their education, 
could be educated by themselves, away from the contaminat- 
insf influences of the northern ' mud sills ' and their heretical 
ideas of a common humanity, freedom and equality. Tem- 
porary wooden buildings had been erected and the cornerstone 
of the great university building had been laid with great pomp, 
a lavish display of eloquence and in the presence of the first 
rank of the Southern chivalry. The war came on, the work 
stopped, and now the university was the camp of Yankee 
troops. The boys broke up the cornerstone, which was of 
Tennessee marble, made all sorts of trinkets from the frag- 
ments and sent them off to their friends as souvenirs. From 
this delightful camp we moved August i6, 1863, via Jasper, 
Tenn., and crossed the Tennessee River at Shell Mound, a 
point between Bridgeport, to which trains were running from 
Nashville, and Chattanooga our objective point. After a short 
halt we pushed on across the mountain ridges to the southeast, 
thereby flanking the enemy's position and compelling the 
evacuation of Chattanooga. Our army was spread out like 
a fan to the south, along a line of sixty or seventy miles, 
through a country very rough and broken and of difficult 
roads. In crossing the last ridge the wagon train was dis- 



CLIMBING THE MOUNTAIN 69 

tributed along the column of troops, one company being as- 
signed to each wagon. The road was not much more than a 
bridle-path. It took the united exertions of my company from 
8 o'clock in the evening until 2 in the morning to lift the 
wagon assigned to us to the top of the ridge. In this manner 
the march was conducted, and in this position was the army 
when Rosecrans discovered Bragg in front of our left center, 
strongly reinforced by Longstreet from the army at Rich- 
mond." 

Returning to the " diary." 

Friday, September 11, 1863. — ''This morning Brannan's 
division came up. They were without their train, hurried up 
to support Negley and Rousseau w^ho have encountered a force 
of the enemy in the valley on the opposite side of the moun- 
tain. We began to move about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, but 
it was long after dark before we reached the beginning of the 
ascent. It is an exceedingly slow, tedious process, lifting the 
wagons up the side of the mountain ; about 9 o'clock we re- 
ceived orders to get our train up the side of the mountain by 4 
o'clock in the morning to allow Brannan to move up. The 
wagons reached to the top of the mountain filling the road; 
our regimental wagons were behind and all below, but the men 
appreciated the pressing need of aid to Negley and set about 
their work with a will. I never saw so bad a road, so long and 
steep a hill, but the men worked like horses, the teams moved 
steadily up; before 12 o'clock at night all were up. I have 
rarely seen men work as they did, cheerfully, too, vieing with 
each other in feats of strength, and prolonged exertion. The 
spirit which animated them would win a battle. People need 
not question the patriotism of the American soldier. The ex- 
perience of last night proves their utter forgetfulness, yes, re- 
gardlessness of self when the interests of the cause near their 
hearts is concerned. We bivouacked soon after reaching the 
top of the mountain." 



70 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Saturday. September 12, 1863. — " I write sitting on a 
rock, on a spur of the mountain, overlooking the battlefield of 
yesterday. In the fight Negley lost twenty-five men. We 
moved from our bivouac at 5 o'clock this morning, marching 
two or three miles and descending the mountain, then march- 
ing a mile and a half to this position. Our sidehill is covered 
with woods concealing us from the enemy. Our entire corps 
is now here drawn up in order of battle ; whether an attack is 
expected I know not, but up to this time the enemy has made 
no demonstration of that sort. In the meantime we are quiet- 
ly waiting in order of battle for something to turn up." 

The next day, referring to rumors afloat in the camp as 
well as reports from correspondents published in the newspa- 
pers of the day, Mr. Cumings speaks wisely — and his words 
might well be heeded today : 

" I believe nothing that I have not seen, unless supported 
by the strongest evidence. The people of the country are 
usually very much deceived by reports of newspapers. The 
correspondents often do not sift the reports they circulate ; at 
such a time as this one can gather in any regiment sensational 
items enough to fill a column, all equally fanciful and void of 
truth. Often, too, correspondents are merely ' toadies ' to 
some officer whose every respectable performance they mag- 
nify immensely, and whose virtues they are constantly sound- 
ing, while they carefully conceal everything to the disadvan- 
tage of their patrons. Thus from various causes the poor pub- 
lic are woefully deceived." 

Wednesday, September 16, 1863. — " Johnny Cisco, of 
the One Hundred and Twenty-fourth, Ohio Volunteer Infan- 
try, formerly our servant, visited the regiment. He reports 
that Lieutenant Denton J. Snider has just resigned and is on 
the point of starting home. This it seems to me is a foolish 



CHICKAMAUGA 71 

act. With talents of a high order and a splendid education, 
he often acts in a very whimsical, impulsive manner, often 
unwisely." 

Thursday. September 17, 1863.—" This morning at day- 
lig-ht there was heavv skirmishine- in our front, the rebels driv- 
ing back a short distance our pickets. Turchin moved up his 
brigade to their support and drove back the rebels. About 
noon we fell in and moved out to relieve Turchin. While do- 
ing so quiet a sharp skirmish took place between the Eleventh 
Ohio and a force of rebels who attempted to take two pieces 
of our artillery. The rebels sent forward a party of mounted 
men, dressed in our uniform, who, hailing our pickets, told 
them not to fire, that they were Wilder's men. Our pickets, 
supposing this to be the case, allowed them to pass and they 
with a battalion of ' rebs ' ' went for ' our guns ' right smart.' 
They had almost reached them when the Eleventh Ohio rushed 
up, charged with a yell and the treacherous rebels broke and 
fled. The left of our regiment w^as deployed as pickets and 
the right held as reserve, relieving one of Turchin's regiments. 
I slept little this evening on account of cold." 

Saturday, September 19, 1863.—" This most eventful day 
opened very cool and pleasant. We resumed our march early 
and halted in park about 8 o'clock a. m. Cannonading was go- 
ing on all along to the right of us ; troops were hurrying up ; 
surgeons were locating field hospitals and marking the roads 
to them with guide boards, and all other preparations for battle 
were being hurriedly made. Upon overtaking my regiment I 
reported to Major Perkins who ordered me to remain with 
the train until relieved. I accordingly returned to the train 
and the regiment moved on. Now the roads sw^amied wdth 
infantrv and artillery, the fields were black with cavalry. The 
roar of cannon is more frequent : soon the roll of musketry sets 
in and we know that the battle is begun, a battle whose issue 



'j^ HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

may decide the war, a battle of magnitude unequalled in the 
west. If we lose we have everything to lose ; escape without 
a ruinous loss from this mountainous country is impossible 
If we succeed the west — all but Virginia is again restored to 
the Union — a crushing, annihilating blow is added to those 
already given. 

" Word comes that our brigade has moved up to the scene 
of action. My feelings at this moment I will not attempt to 
describe — the thought of the interests at stake — the lives every 
moment being breathed out on the field, just out of sight — 
the anxiety for friends — the constant expectation of a cavalry 
dash of the enemy upon us ; these and many more anxieties, 
thoughts and emotions, excited, thrilled, depressed me all at 
once. The loud roar of battle increased, extending farther and 
farther to the right and front of us, a mile distant. The smoke 
of battle rises among the trees. Now a soldier of the One 
Hundred and Twenty-fourth Ohio, wounded in the ankle, 
hobbles along. He reports Granger first attacked and Palmer 
soon after. He was wounded early and is the first one passing 
by us. Soon another and another wounded man comes, their 
wounds usually slight, a shot in the arm, a slight wound in the 
head or something of that sort. Soon they come in crowds 
and the ambulances are loaded with them; a few severely 
wounded officers on stretchers. Lieutenant Chubb with a buck- 
shot wound through his right ear and a portion of his neck, 
and Marshal Teachout with a ball in his leg come along; I 
fix them places to lie down. They report the regiment en- 
gaged, flanked and compelled to fall back. White of my com- 
pany, ' C who was on guard and relieved, after the company 
was detailed, went into battle with Company 'I,' and was killed 
the first fire ; a ball through the temple gave him a soldier's 
death. Several are reported killed, many wounded ; time will 
revise the reports. Soon we are apprised of an anticipated 



CHICKAMAUGA 73 

cavalry dash upon us. We were on the anxious lookout until 
near sundown when we moved a mile or two south to the 
spring", where a g'eneral field hospital was located, and the train 
parked. I posted the pickets ah(jut my train, made needful 
arrangements for our security and then sat down hy the light 
of a camp fire where I am writing- this meagre, hasty sketch 
of this memorable day. Of the results of the battle I am not 
prepared to judge. It will likely be renewed in the morning 
Negley drove the enemy some distance in a sharp engagement 
just at evening, and communication was re-established with 
Burnside, who is near. Tomorrow will, I presume, stand linked 
with today in the history of the great rebellion. I shall try to 
sleep some tonight, just to renew an old habit, for. though I 
have slept very little for more than sixty hours I am not 
sleepy." 

Sunday, September 20. 1863. — " The armies lay con- 
fronting each other; straggling musket shots between pickets 
only indicated their proximity. About 9 o'clock the moment 
arrived when the fiend of battle was again unloosed. A single 
cannon shot, then another, quickened to a hot artillery duel. 
Just then our train was ordered forward on the road to Chat- 
tanooga, running just in the rear of the battlefield ; as we ar- 
rived in the rear of the fighting, occasional rolls of musketry 
were heard. On the left were several regiments, held in re- 
serve, on the right were to be seen our line of battle, while in 
the woods beyond, the sound of the deadly strife was con- 
stantly increasing. When in rear of the center, we turned to 
the left (our rear) and went into park one-half mile distant. 
Just then the battle reached its greatest fury; from right to 
left of our line was one continual roar of artillery and mus- 
ketry. For two or three hours the firing was incessant. The 
musketry blended in one continuous roll ; the artillery reports 
followed each other so rapidly that they almost united in one 



74 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

continuous explosion. For a long time it was difficult to deter- 
mine whether either side gained ground. Finally the noise of 
the firing came nearer; shortly a battery thundered at our 
right, indicating a turning of our right flank, and a moment 
afterwards General McCook and staff with Generals Davis and 
Sheridan, whose divisions had just given way in front, ap- 
peared for the purpose of establishing a new line of battle. 
The bullets began to patter among the trees around us ; our 
train was hurried forward and we formed a line to resist the 
momentarily expected attack of the rebels. At every halt we 
formed in rear of the wagons in line faced by the rear ; so we 
proceeded till we reached the road on the opposite side of the 
valley leading to Chattanooga. Here w^e halted, fomied line, 
stopped and put in our line all stragglers and unwounded men 
with arms. We soon had quite a line formed ; and here we 
waited for the enemy, but no enemy appeared. Indeed he was 
so badly cut up that he was unable to improve the success of 
turning our right and forcing our center and our line was soon 
reformed and steadily held. Just before sundown we again 
moved forward and halted and bivouacked a mile or two from 
Chattanooga." 

Monday, September 21, 1863. — "Our regiment, it is 
said, fought most gallantly, making on Sunday a gallant 
charge into and through the rebel lines for a half mile and 
then cutting their way back, bringing back more prisoners 
than their own number, among them Brigadier General Adams 
of the rebel army." 

The regiment marched to Chattanooga in the morning, 
and the next day the w^hole army had fallen back to that place. 
The One Hundred and Fifth is busy in throwing up breast- 
works. Demonstrations upon the front, but no attack. Ru- 
mors are rife. The " diary " declares : 



THE UNEXPECTED SHELL 75 

"I believe nothing, expect nothing, look for nothing; 
' sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' We have been 
beaten, but not routed, not broken, not demoralized. The 
army is in excellent spirits, strong in their faith in Rosecrans 
and ready to meet the enemy at his command. The simple fact 
is that our men are conscious of fighting well, better than the 
enemy, but were simply outflanked and overwhelmed by num- 
bers. They feel able to beat the enemy, as soon as reinforced, 
and able to hold this place till help arrives, hence our loss is 
really little. Though compelled to fall back we are not de- 
feated ; the enemy, undoubtedly has suffered more than we. 
He has failed to regain Chattanooga or any other lost advan- 
tage ; he has simply delayed our advance ; the same would have 
been the case from the necessity of securing supplies and 
strengthening our lines of communication." 

Friday. September 25. 1863. — " About sundown as we 
were sitting carelessly about our stacked arms, the men gen- 
erally eating their suppers, a group of officers talking to- 
gether, a shell suddenly howled through between us and burst 
a few yards beyond. I think I was never more startled in my 
life. The rebels had run up two pieces of artillery within three 
hundred or four hundred yards of us in the bushes, got our 
range accurately and suddenly opened upon us. Some light 
skirmishing between pickets had been going on for some time 
to our right but as it was common it had excited no especial 
attention. The men were immediately formed and placed be- 
hind the bank which formed the best protection. Here we 
were shelled for twenty minutes or a half hour, all the time 
hugging the slope for dear life. The shells were very close 
but luckily did little harm. Three men slightly wounded were 
all from our regiment. Several shells exploded near me; a 
hole torn in my hat by a fragment of a shell, was my greatest 
damage. There was occasional firing all night but nothing 
noteworthy." 



76 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

^^'ed^esday, September 30, 1863. — " This evening there 
returned a long ambulance train that was sent out to the bat- 
tlefield yesterday under a flag of truce, the drivers and attaches 
being left at the rebel lines and rebel drivers substituted. 
While watching it pass some one called out, ' Harry Cumings, 
how are you ? ' Looking up, my eye caught Sammy Snider 
sitting on the driver's seat of an ambulance. I was greatly 
surprised and rejoiced to take his hand again. I had given 
him up for lost but he is not probably mortally wounded, 
though seriously. His left arm is shattered and the ball en- 
tered his body coming out near the spine. His courage is ex- 
cellent and I think he will pull through." 

On the fifth day of October, Air. Cumings wrote : 

" Found in the Cincinnati Commercial of September 28th 
the first tolerably correct account of the battle of Chickamauga. 
It is unfortunate for the American people that newspaper cor- 
respondents are men of such fertile imaginations and such in- 
difference to facts farther than as a basis for their fanciful de- 
scriptions. A newspaper reporter dodges about in rear of a 
battle questioning the straggler, the cowardly wretch wdio ran 
at the first fire, as to the progress of the battle. He learns that 
his informant is the sole survivor of some regiment, that our 
forces are beaten, scattered ; that some brigade or regiment 
broke and ran and thereby the day was lost ; or that some offi- 
cer was drunk or failed in his duty, or some other improbable 
story told by some wretch who is careful to get no nearer the 
enemy than he can help. So it goes. The ' enterprise ' of the 
paper is shown by the first report of the battle and the enter- 
prise of the reporter by the first garbled, exaggerated imper- 
fect report, got up as indicated, that can be produced. So the 
public is instructed; so fame arises, so reputations with the 
public are made and unmade. Under the circumstances it is 
not strange that high minded men despise public opinion." 



ESTIMATES OF GENERAL ROSECRANS yy 

And on the eighth day : 

" Today is the anniversary of Perryville. One year ago 
was mv first battle ; three I have since taken part in. I can 
now inscribe on my colors, Perryville, Milton, Hoover's Gap 
and Chickamang-a. The anniversary of Perryville will always 
be prominent in my calendar. It was my baptism into my 
new profession." 

Captain Cumings improves every opportnnity for culti- 
vating his mind and adding to his increasing stock of knowl- 
edge. He writes, under date of October lo, 1863: 

" Finished this evening ' Old Mortality,' one of the 
\\'a\erly novels. I was much interested in it. I have read 
little relating to the old Covenanters ; what little I have read 
has given me no very precise idea of them. I know they were 
zealous, stern, superstitious, but I have never before so fully 
understood that blending of Christianity, integrity, courage, 
with superstition, fanaticism, duplicity, barbarism. The 
Scotchman possesses a lofty character ; he breathes in the spirit 
of nature around him; his qualities of feeling and intellect are 
somewhat akin to the sublimity of his own mountain scenery. 
Nowhere else would such a phenomenon as the Covenanter 
arise ; but he was a natural result of his surroundings and his 
times. A soldier must admire his lofty courage, alas ! so mis- 
directed and so fruitless for good. Nothing short of the 
genius of a Cromwell could ever make an army of such mate- 
rials. I doubt whether e\'en he would have succeeded with 
the Scotch Covenanters alone. Courage, endurance, zeal that 
nothing could quench they had abundantly, but their fanaticism, 
while impelling them to resist the lawful authority forbade all 
permanent union among themselves." 

]\lr. Cumings has always had a high appreciation of the 
superior generalship of General Rosecrans. Upon the relief 



78 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

of the general from command of the Army of the Cumber- 
land, he writes : 

" General Rosecrans has been relieved of the command 
of this army; General Grant succeeds." General U. S. Grant 
was placed at the head of the new Division of the Mississippi, 
and General George H. Thomas in command of the Army of 
the Cumberland. " Various rumors are rife as to the destina- 
tion of General Rosecrans. Some assert that he takes com- 
mand of the Army of the Potomac, others that he is ordered to 
Cincinnati to report to Washington by letter. This last I can- 
not believe ; he has always acquitted himself well ; his army 
has perfect confidence in him." 

He returns to the subject later. 

Sunday, November i. 1863. — " Yesterday closed the long- 
est month, in seeming, of my life. I can hardly realize that 
only one month has passed since the first of October. Con- 
stant excitement, or rather apprehension, rapidly occurring 
events of importance, united with little duty or employment to 
occupy the attention, have served to drag out days to weari- 
some length, weeks to months in impression. We were re- 
lieved at an early hour this morning. My first work on get- 
ting in was to take a bath and provide and put on a new suit 
of clothing, sending my old to quarantine. The truth is never 
has a town been so swarming with lice since their great mass 
convention in Egypt. The question now. with the force here 
is, how shall we subsist? The men have lived on short allow- 
ance ever since they have been here, first half rations, now 
quarter rations, often these are not furnished until long after 
due, and the men must wait with empty stomachs. The roads 
to Stevenson are getting worse constantly, and will soon be 
almost impassible. Something must be done. The men en- 
dure cheerfully but they are made of flesh and blood and 
must have food. Idie only course seems to be to obtain the 



ESTIMATES OF GENERAL ROSECRANS 79 

possession of the river for the transportation of suppHes. This 
is what is now on the tapis. It is said a road is being cut 
across the bend in front of and out of the range of Lookout, 
to town. By this means the army can be supphed unless diffi- 
culty occurs back of Stevenson. I hope we are not to be 
starved out of this stronghold." 

" I have seen today, Monday, November 2, 1863, North- 
ern papers printed since Rosecrans' removal became known. 
The Western papers are somewhat candid and reasonable, as 
is the New York Post ; regretting Rosecrans' removal unless 
the most weighty reasons can be adduced, doing justice to his 
great abilities and services; yet withal willing to acquiesce, 
trusting the judgement of the administration till the facts that 
led to his removal may be known. Not so other papers. It 
would seem that a set of enemies, such as any man in Rose- 
crans' position and of Rosecrans' will, spirit and determination 
will have, have had their hounds in training and now on the 
announcement of his removal they are all unloosed. Certain 
papers are teeming with rumors, charges, statements, petty, 
ridiculous, malignant, false, unjust, ungenerous, everything in 
short that weak, petty unscrupulous enmity and malignity can 
devise. The Army of the Cumberland admire, revere and 
love their great leader. They parted with him sorrowfully, 
but true to the instincts of military subordination and prompt 
acquiescence in orders that he had taught them, they made no 
complaint, questioned not the motives that prompted the 
change. Such weak partisan attacks upon him, whose name 
alone has been a tower of strength, look badly for the cause 
of his opponents. The Army of the Cumberland will be satis- 
fied with no equivocal reasons for the sacrifice of their leader." 

The judgment of Captain Cumings was not unnatural at 
the time, but completely at fault. Later studies of the cam- 
paign ha\e clearh- shown that General Rosecrans was unequal 



8o HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

to the task to which he had been assigned. Ahnost his first 
act after the battle of Chickamauga — there is no official record 
of this council — was to call together his corps and division 
commanders to consider the question of abandoning Chatta- 
nooga, and taking position on Walden's Ridge on the other 
side of the river. But on the third day the general rode 
through the camp, addressing the soldiers, confident, boastful, 
exulting. The soldiers shouted and cheered. They did not 
know that in the midst of the battle he had come to the city to 
see that preparations were made for the escape of the army 
across the river. General Thomas had protested against at 
least one important movement. The army entered Chatta- 
nooga after the loss of seventeen thousand men. They might 
have entered on the fifteenth without firing a gun. Chicka- 
mauga was a mistake. 

The diary of Captain A. G. Wilcox of Company " F " 
pronounces a juster judgment concerning General Rosecrans. 
It says, under date September 24th : " His personal magnetism 
might make him a successful leader in a charge, but he never 
could have checked a retreat and made the last stand at Chicka- 
mauga as 'Hiomas did. The boys never threw up their hats 
for Thomas — I believe, in spite of his modest ways, he would 
rather like it if they did — but in a fight they are always glad to 
see * Old Pap ' looking after things and will stay with him to 
the end. Thomas is always cool and his men can't be stam- 
peded. To a casual observer, ' Rosy ' would seem to be the 
idol of the army, but if officers and men were to choose a com- 
mander by vote, I believe Thomas would be elected." 

The greatest military critics have often been at fault in 
their early opinions concerning military operations. After 
many years spent in historic research, many problems remain 
unanswered. There was one day of heavy fighting during 
which no one, even up to the present time, can say with confi- 



ESTIMATES OF GENERAL ROSECRANS 8i 

dence where the One Hundred and Fifth went. It is only 
known that, at the command given in a desperate emergency, 
it attacked the enemy, fought with unexampled spirit, disap- 
peared, probably within the lines of the enemy, and emerged 
much later in another part of the field. No surviving mem- 
ber of the regiment can tell where it went. Time answers 
many questions, but not all. 

History has justified the removal of Rosecrans. The 
diary has other criticisms, not a few, of the acts of officers in 
command, sometimes given in terms of unusual severity; their 
incompetency, ignorance, blunders, partiality, and prejudices. 
We believe in most cases, perhaps in all, these criticisms are just 
and not overstated. The critic is often more competent than 
the officer criticised, and naturally feels himself and his smaller 
command outraged when made to suffer from cowardice or 
what the soldiers often called " bullheadedness." We have 
known soldiers in the ranks who looked with contempt upon 
certain officers who made inexcusable mistakes on the drill 
ground. There were sometimes, and often, too, private sol- 
diers who w^ere in every way superior to those under whom 
they were placed ; and we have known many officers who were 
far superior to many who ranked above them. In a great 
army this will sometimes be the case. It could not be other- 
wise. And soldiers have the right to express their opinions in 
any way which will not lead to a breach of military discipline. 



VI. 

CHATTANOOGA, LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN, 
MISSIONARY RIDGE. 

The signs of winter began to manifest themselves, and 
camp life was not like that at home. 

Wednesday, November ii, 1863. — " For some time I 
have been trying to generate the necessary caloric by means 
of a fire place, which has proved the most vexatious of all its 
species. I heartily sympathize with those much wronged, un- 
appreciated, unsympathized with people — scolding housewives. 
I am never profane, my principles are against the thing, but 
human weakness would have yielded I fear before long had I 
not today in a fit of desperation went to work, found a work- 
man, materials and tools, and had a stove made; down came 
my chimney and I now luxuriate in a tent combining warmth 
and air, in which one can sit without weeping." 

Air. Cumings often criticised public plans and measures, 
but always with good reason. He could defend his own views 
with cogent arguments, and, even when judged by the accumu- 
lated experience and knowledge of the present day, was sel- 
dom at fault. Witness his opinion concerning bounties to 
volunteers : 

" I wrote a letter this evening to Uncle and Aunt Wood- 
worth. Still the old story at home of ' avoid the draft, buy 
men for volunteers.' I confess I am unable to see the prefer- 
ence which men bought with $500 bounty should have to con- 
scripts. It seems to me that the simplest dictates of common 
sense teach us to fill up our armies at once and keep them full 
or else abandon the cause at once. If we fill up, the only effec- 
tive and speedy means is by conscription. The curse of our 



84 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

cause has been the temporizing tendencies, the disposition to 
meet great necessities, permanent wants, by expedients that 
meet only the moment. Why cannot the magnitude of this 
struggle be appreciated? " 

The draft, pure and simple, would insure adequacy and 
promptness. We believe, however, that most of the substi- 
tutes — and those paid for volunteering, as well — were patriotic 
and high-minded, and made soldiers, the equals of any in the 
army. They had family interests which demanded all their 
time and labor. They could not leave their families to starva- 
tion and want ; they did not choose to be dependents upon un- 
certain, though it might be patriotic charity. The soldier's 
salary would not fully meet these interests. The bounty would 
fill out what the salary could not supply. They served their 
country faithfully and they lay down their lives on a hundred 
battlefields. 

There is another class to whom it was a commercial 
transaction. They could earn more in this way than in any 
other. They placed their bounty in the bank or made a favor- 
able investment. They were paid in advance for the risks of 
camp, battlefield and hospital. Having received their pay. 
they kept their engagement and lived up to their bargain. 
They made good soldiers. 

Then, too, we must admit there were the '' bounty- 
jumpers," those who accepted the bounty expecting to desert 
at the first favorable opportunity, and receive another bounty 
under another name — disreputables, too base to be mentioned 
in history except to despise and abhor. 

Sunday, November 15, 1863. — " This afternoon I took a 
stroll over to the left of our lines; visited Fort Wood. There 
are mounted here two thirty-two pounder Parrott guns, be- 
sides a number of field pieces. Returning I came through the 
old cemetery, now in a most deplorable condition : the fences 



03 



o 



o 
so 




THE OLD CEMETERY 87 

torn away, all materials, except the tomb stones themselves, 
appropriated by the soldiers; all the trees and shrubbery cut 
down ; tents here and there, and roads running in every direc- 
tion. One portion of the ground contained a large number of 
graves of Confederate soldiers. I noticed head boards to these 
numbered nearly as high as one thousand. I saw only two or 
three head boards containing the names of the soldiers ; only 
number so and so. the hospital record for the rest. But even 
this was better than the graves of our own soldiers wdio were 
buried in another part of the ground ; frequently no head 
hoard, merely an irregular, shapeless elevation of fresh earth 
told the spectator that here rested all that was mortal of some 
Union soldier wdio cheerfully had given all to a country wdiich 
provided him only this burial. There w-ere graves well marked 
and exhibiting somewhat the attention and care befitting the 
last solemn rites, but it was the work of comrades, not of those 
wdiom the government had placed here for this duty. Here 
was Captain Spalding's grave, well marked and in good condi- 
tion, also Private Benjamin G. Lamport, of this company. 

Sunday, November 22, 1863. — *' 'The evening before a 
battle is a time for reflection ; I suppose every person has simi- 
lar feelings, the feelings that must precede conscious entry into 
great perils. I certainly cannot say that I covet the chance in 
the fight. I hope to do my duty." 

Monday, November 23, 1863. — " I write by moonlight 
seated Turkish fashion at a picket outpost. At 3 o'clock this 
morning we were aroused and were in line at 4 o'clock; at 5 
o'clock the companies stacked arms on company parade ground 
and waited for further orders. At 2 o'clock we had inspection 
of companies; just before this took place, we observed a line 
of battle advancing from our works on the left ; at about a 
quarter of 2 o'clock p. m., skirmishing and heavy artillery 
firing began and lasted for nearly an hour. At 3 o'clock we 



88 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

fell in for regimental inspection but instead were sent to the 
front. We moved in line of battle from the left of Star fort in 
a south of east direction till we reached our picket line, where 
the brigade is now halted. I am on picket three hundred yards 
in advance of the regiment ; we cover regimental front. Just 
before dark General Thomas and members of his staff passed; 
General Reynolds rode up to us, complimenting us highly for 
conduct at Chickamauga and recommended us to Lieutenant 
Colonel Tolles who was absent on that occasion. As he rode 
oft' he remarked " you will probably have a touch in the morn- 
ing." 

Tuesday, November 24, 1863. — " No especial incident oc- 
curred after writing- the above last night. Quite a skirmish 
broke out along our line to the left but soon subsided. I slept 
but little, slept little the night before, and feel greatly the effect 
of loss of sleep and fatigue. The morning has passed quietly ; 
now and then a cannon shot breaks the silence. What is to be 
done? is the universal query. At about half past eleven light 
dawns. A little skirmishing on the opposite side of Lookout 
is followed by cannonading and heavy musketry apparently 
part way up the mountain. Before a great while a straggling 
column of rebels appears fleeing around to this side of the 
mountain, pursued by a column of Blue Coats in line of battle. 
' The mountain is nearly won ' is the thought of our army 
in line watching with intense interest the struggle. A spon- 
taneous, mighty cheer arises from our army while the rebels 
still run and Hooker's boys still follow. The strategy 
is now plainer; our movement has been designed to draw the 
rebel attention from Lookout, and has succeeded ; the fighting 
now at 3 130 p. m. still goes on ; we have driven the enemy 
nearly from the mountain, but they are struggling desperately. 
I have no fears as to the result. After writing the above the 
fighting continued for sometime, the firing lasted in fact until 
about 1 1 o'clock p. m., when it ceased. Lookout yielded to us." 



BATTLE OF MISSIONARY RIDGE 89 

Wednesday, November 25, 1863. — " Today has been 
most e\-entful. I awoke tired, chilled through early last night. 
For three nights I have had very little sleep. About 10 o'clock 
we moved to the left. After several counter-marches and halts 
we finally formed in line, crossed the railroad and halted about 
three-fourths of a mile from Missionary Ridge, opposite the 
extreme left of our works. Soon we moved forward in two 
lines, the One Hundred and First Indiana, the Seventy-fifth 
Indiana, and the Second ^Minnesota, in the first line and our 
regiment and the Thirty-fifth Ohio in the second line. The 
front line moved forward at double quick under the fire of sev- 
eral batteries to a rebel breastwork behind which they halted 
and lay down ; we laid down in the open field one-fourth of a 
mile in their rear. The enemy kept up a continuous fire but, 
I think did no harm to us here. Soon we saw the right of our 
line, a mile to the right of us, climbing to the top of Mission- 
ary Ridge. In a few minutes it was ours. Next the column to 
the left of them was charging up the ridge, assaulting the front 
of the rebel position, several hundred feet high, while the 
troop already up charged in flank. They soon carried the posi- 
tion. The whole line now was storming the ridge, each bri- 
gade moving in echelon from the right and as each gained the 
ridge turning to the left upon the enemy's flank, and so on till 
our turn came. Up went our front line, the colors of the regi- 
ment in advance, we following on the double quick, which 
soon became a run. Several rebel batteries, now unable to 
reach the front line, which was under the cover of the steep 
slope, concentrated their fire upon us. The air about us rang 
with the noise of howling, shrieking, exploding shells, whis- 
tling canister soughing solid shot. We were covered with dirt 
thrown upon us by exploding shells ; fortunately few were in- 
jured. After running nearly one-half mile we took refuge 
and a breathing halt under a rebel breastwork at the foot of the 



90 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

ridge ; a moment's rest and we were up and on with a yell that 
was terrific. 11ie enemy again opened upon us, but after run- 
ning a short distance we were under the protection of the steep 
hill slope. \\q climbed the hill as fast as in our great exhaus- 
tion we could, in the face of the enemy's breastworks — the 
enemy falling back a little — reformed slightly our broken lines 
and followed on in pursuit of the flying enemy. They rallied 
and strengthened by reinforcements from the left — the troops 
who had been opposing Sherman — made an obstinate stand for 
a short time, but finally gave way and the ridge was ours. 
Our forces have captured a large amount of artillery and many 
prisoners." 

Captain Cumings, in the lecture to which we have several 
times referred, gives a spirited account of the part taken by his 
regiment in the Battle of Missionary Ridge: "Shortly six 
guns in rapid succession from Orchard Knob gave the signal 
to advance on Missionary Ridge, strongly held by the enemy. 
The movement began in echelon from the right and was in- 
tended to carry the rifle pits at the foot of the ridge and there 
remain, the ridge being deemed too strong for assault. But 
hunger and raggedness and cold had done their perfect work. 
When the word was given our lines charged with a vim, a 
vigor, and enthusiasm I never saw equalled. The rifle pits 
were carried with a rush, the Johnnies scrambling for their 
main works at the top of the ridge as fast as their legs would 
carry them. On went our soldiers ; nothing could stop them, 
officers even calling on them to halt. Sixty cannon were play- 
ing on them with shell and canister. The while the infantry in 
solid line behind their well protected works rained down their 
musketry fire upon them. It was heeded no more than the 
pattering of hail. Officers were nothing. Every man seemed 
a regiment in himself and orders or no orders was hell-bent for 
the rebel works. So on they went up the ridge. Company and 



RECRUITING 91 

even regimental organization was lost. It did not matter. 
Among the men it was a struggle for the front of the line. 
At last the top of the ridge and the rebel breastworks were 
reached. Over the works went our men without a pause, and 
away went tlie enemy on the run. The day was ours. The 
ridge was ours, over sixty rebel cannon and many prisoners. 
All through the tedious days in Chattanooga rebel pickets had 
been fond of shouting to our pickets, ' Hello, Yank ! How did 
you like Chickamauga? ' and as their broken lines went whirl- 
ing down the rear of Missionary Ridge that day, our soldiers 
yelled after them: 'Chickamauga! Chickamauga! this is 
how we like Chickamauga ! ' A few days of pursuit, several 
sharp and some very bloody skirmishes followed and we 
marched back to our camp at Chattanooga." 

Sunday, November 29th, the command returned from the 
pursuit of the retreating enemy. It was a march which tried 
the endurance of our soldiers. It was a glorious victory which 
had been won. Captain Cumings said : " I am tired, sore, 
badly ' bunged-up,' but happy as a lark." 

In the address to wdiich we have already referred, he 
says : "A few days afterv^-ards, to my surprise and gratifica- 
tion. I was ordered to proceed to Ohio on recruiting service 
and was recommended for promotion. Proceeding to Colum- 
bus, Ohio, in the early days of December, 1863, I received my 
appointment as captain and was stationed at Cleveland, Ohio, 
as a recruiting officer, where I remained until the middle of 
April, 1864. During this period a great Sanitary Fair for the 
benefit of the soldiers was held in Cleveland. It was conduct- 
ed by the ladies, among whom were many young and hand- 
some ones, full of patriotism and very fond of the poor sol- 
diers. I did not enlist very many recruits, as I remember, but 
I labored diligently to cultivate a strong Union feeling among 
the pretty girls at the Sanitary building." 



92 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

Captain Cumings, returning from the recruiting service 
for which he had been detailed, joined his regiment at Ring- 
gold, Georgia, April 27, 1864, in time for the Chattanooga- 
Atlanta campaign, which had already begun March 7th. 

The Battle of Resaca was fought May 14th. Two days 
later the " \\'?ly Diary " says : 

" Morning found the rebel works deserted, the enemy 
having retreated. The demonstration of last night was merely 
a feint to cover their retreat. Moved back into the woods 
this morning; about noon we moved out, taking the road to 
Resaca, about two miles distant. Reaching Resaca, we stacked 
arms with the expectation of resuming the march soon, but 
finally remained all night. I visited the scene of the rebel as- 
sault upon the works near which we lay. The rebel dead were 
thick ; they fought well, as their dead resting almost on our 
brea.'=t-works demonstrated, while the town and the ragged 
bushes in front of our works showed the severity of our fire. 
I visited the town. The cars came in this afternoon, so rapid- 
ly do they follow our advance. The boys have a saying that 
the cars follow up our skirmish line. I saw today the first 
amputation I ever witnessed, the leg of a poor fellow of the 
Seventv-ninth Pennsylvania, accidentally wounded by the dis- 
charge of a gun lying in a pile of captured arms. I succeeded 
in losing my revolver this evening by laying it down and go- 
ing off and leaving it. I was sorry to lose it, having carried 
it all through my service, though I am inclined to think that in 
the end I shall be glad to be relieved of its weight." 

Tuesday, May 24, 1864. — " We were notified that we 
should remain here today, our brigade waiting for our supply 
trains to come up and to guard them forward to the front, 
wherever that should be. Our army moved forward this after- 
noon. In company with Lieutenant Castle I took a scout 
about the countrv, called at a nuniber of houses and talked 



a- 



O 




TRAIN GUARD 95 

with the people, found several good looking women and more 
badly frightened men. Some were reserved, some frigid, some 
communicative and friendly. One woman whose husband is 
in Lee's army, said that she and her husband had always been 
Union people, that they desired the success of our armies, 
that he was forced into the rebel army and for many months 
had been watching for an opportunity to escape within our 
lines, that as soon as he could do so he was to send for his 
familv. She was anxious to go north ; wanted to see some 
officer who could provide a way. She said the great mass of 
the people of her class, the small renters or farmers who rented 
their farms, and they are the best of this class of the Southern 
population, held the opinion of herself and her husband." 

And now there was almost continuous marching, fight- 
ing, throwing up breastworks — little rest, little sleep, some- 
times lack of food. We can but touch the subject here and 
there. 

Wednesday, May 25, 1864. — " At 10 o'clock a. m. our 
regiment and the Thirty-fifth Ohio, under Major Perkins, 
marched as train guards to a large supply and ordnance train 
belonging to the Second Division, Fourteenth Army Corps ; 
after marching seven or eight miles we halted and began to 
make preparations for camp, but soon after moved forward. 
About this time (5 o'clock p. m.) heavy firing was heard in 
front. At first it was mostly cannonading, but later volleys of 
musketrv were heard. I think I have heard no such heavy 
musketry since Chickamauga. About the time of our last 
start it set in to rain with great violence. My poncho partial- 
ly protected me but my arms and legs were drenched. Dark- 
ness fell, thick, black, intense, but still we marched on, the 
roads became very muddy but we marched all the faster : final- 
ly we struck another road occupied by a wagon train and w-ent 
dodging along among the w^agons as fast as possible. The 



96 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

colonel had riden back and the adjutant was doing the thing 
up according to his idea. Finally an orderly came running 
forward, shouting at the top of his voice, ' Adjutant! ' followed 
closely by Colonel Perkins also running dismounted, who 
wished to know of the adjutant if he proposed to march the 
regiment to Atlanta. Here we halted in the rain for a half 
hour, when we filed off the road, formed line and bivouacked, 
to the tune of the Rogues' March whistled and sung by the en- 
tire regiment. Splendid fires were soon started from the pine 
knots lying about and after drying myself, drinking a quart of 
very strong coffee and the usual pipe of tobacco, I laid down 
to a comfortable sleep." 

Sunday, May 29, the regiment camped in a thick woods 
at Burnt Hickory. 

" All about our camp are shafts sunk of varying depth 
from ten to sixty feet, also deep trenches dug all about. The 
sediment, such as loose gravel, sand etc., is dug out from the 
bed of a small stream near at hand, and has apparently been 
washed over. It is said by citizens to be the work of gold 
hunters, who met with some success in their work here. I saw 
several fine mineralogical specimens. What appears to be an 
ore of iron with beautiful yellow crystals, probably a sulphate, 
is quite common in the material thrown out of these excava- 
tions. The excavations are in a micaceous rock or shale which 
crops out here. I suppose this is a part of the gold fields which 
extend east into North Carolina. The soil all through this re- 
gion is very micaceous. Small crystals or pieces of mica cover 
the soil and glisten in the sunlight as if the surface were cov- 
ered with small bits of glass. There is a great deal of iron ore 
in the soil here, the earth shows it plainly, the water is dis- 
colored. I saw some bog ore. 

Monday, May 30, 1864.— " Remained in camp the entire 
day. Last evening had occasion to straighten out several 



CURING INSUBORDINA TION 97 

kinks that have appeared in the company. This company has 
had its own head very much since it was formed. The original 
Captain Bowers was not well calculated for command; easy, 
lax, leaving- the ends loose, he gave the company a very poor 
start. The first lieutenant. Sweet, was a scoundrel and cow- 
ard. He worked disaffection in the company, aggravated as 
much as possible the evils of the captain's administration and 
counteracted what was good. So until Captain See took com- 
mand there was no discipline or subordination. Since that 
time Captain See has been absent most of the time and the 
company under this and that man, with no one at the head 
long, has gone to the devil generally. Upon assuming com- 
mand I was treated to several confidential pieces of advice and 
bits of information from those who supposed that they pecu- 
liarly understood the ' nature of the beast.' The company 
went to pieces early at Chickamauga and was supposed to be 
worthless in a fight. The men had a way of grossly abusing 
every one who passed by. and it was supposed that they were 
generally worthless. I paid very little attention to these repre- 
sentations. I told the sergeants of the difficulty at Chicka- 
mauga and gave them instructions, and for the rest waited de- 
velopments. As long as the novelty of a new captain lasted 
matters went on very well, but I discovered as the acquaintance 
progressed a growing insubordination and occasionally some- 
thing bordering on impudence. This passed on. increasing 
slowly till last night Private Scoville ventured rather farther 
than any one else had. I ordered him a tour of duty extra. 
He ran away and remained away until after details, to avoid 
it. I arrested him and tied him up ; this morning I released 
him. I also gave the company to understand that the slightest 
insubordination, unsoldierly or ungentlemanly conduct, would 
be promptly punished. I think I now know the faults of the 
company which are not great but are disagreeable, and shall 
soon straighten them out." 



98 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Thursday, June 9, 1864. — " This evening the regiment 
was formed to Hsten to reading of General Order No. 17 from 
General Sherman relating to straggling, etc. Straggling is 
forbidden under the most stringent penalties ; any patrol is 
authorized to shoot down at once any straggler who is impu- 
dent or refuses to obey them ; commanders are strictly account- 
able. A certain portion of the officers of the regiment have 
devoted the day, as in fact they do most every day to gam- 
bling. This evil has grown till it has become outrageous in 
the regiment. The men gamble little, but the headquarters of 
the regiment presents a spectacle of from four to ten officers 
gambling constantly. I have too much pride in my regiment 
to willingly see the headquarters become a common gambling 
den." 

Marching, counter-marching, fighting, rain, mud. every 
day. worn and tired! Constant skirmishing keeps nerves on 
the stretch. The artillery firing became quite heavy on the 
t\venty-seventh. The enemy were throwing up works on 
Kenesaw Mountain, and the Union army strengthened their 
works. Captain Cumings put up over the work of his com- 
pany a large pine head-log two feet in diameter as best suited 
to protect his men from the enemy's skirmishes. 

" A ration of whiskey was issued today — Tuesday, June 
21, 1864. Ill spite of my precautions, which have usually 
proved sufficient, several men were intoxicated, having drank 
the rations of those who did not wish to drink their own. 
Tlie whole comj^any was noisy and very jubilant. I find tliere 
is no way to keep the men sober on such occasions except by 
taking possession of the liquor and issuing it in such quanti- 
ties and at such times as I see fit. and seeing that each man 
that takes whiskey drinks it himself. I think that the men 
did not intend to take too much whiskey, but living as they do 
a little goes a great wavs in showing- effects." 



AN INTERRUPTED GAME 99 

Wednesday, June 22, 1864. — " The enemy opened upnn 
us this morning' from their battery on the mountain opposite, 
(hstant perhaps two thousand yards. Their first shot passed 
to the right of our regiment and went crashing through the 
woods to the rear. I was playing chess in my tent at the time 
and knowing that the first shot from this battery would prob- 
ably be followed up vigorously I betook myself to the friendly 
shelter of (^ur works. My supposition was right. The enemy 
followed up their shelling vigorously and they very shortly got 
our range. During the rest of the day, with short intervals, 
they rained a storm of shell upon us. They exploded on our 
works, in front of us and in rear, but the men kept close to the 
works and not a man of the regiment and very few of the 
brigade were hurt. The elevation of the enemy's batteries is so 
great that their shell come down at a great angle and we need 
to lie close to be safe. The shelling I presume was a benefit 
rather than otherwise to us, as their sharpshooters fire very 
accurately into oin- works and would have assuredly done us 
considerable damage if the men had not kept close, as they 
would not have done without the shelling. Once in a lull I 
was wandering about the camp and was returning to my place 
behind the breastworks when a sharpshooter succeeded in put- 
ting a ball through a port hole and exceedingly near to my 
breast. We received orders at dark to be ready to march and 
as soon as it was dark we struck tents and were ready to move ; 
we did not move until 1 1 o'clock. We then moved one-half 
mile to the right, relieving Johnson's division which moved 
still farther to the right. Just as we reached our position the 
enemy opened their batteries upon us, but did our regiment 
no harm. A solid shot or unexploded shell struck the Second 
Minnesota regiment in our rear killing their sergeant-major, 
whose time of ser\-ice would have been out in two days and 
who would have started home tomorrow, mortally wounding 



lOO HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

a second man and wounding five others. The works we find 
here are very poor and so built that the fire from the mountain 
enfilades them. We all went to work upon them, strengthen- 
ing them and building a traverse section for our company and 
so spent the remainder of the night." 

Thursday, June 23, 1864. — " About the middle of the af- 
ternoon I went back to the rear three hundred yards to a 
stream and washed. I then thought I would go back to the 
wagon for some clean clothes. Failing to find them I started 
back, when the enemy opened three or four batteries upon us. 
I took a position behind two small pines, too small to stop a 
solid shot, but sufficient for fragments of shell, but the fire be- 
came so hot that I lost all confidence in my protection and re- 
solved to change my base, which movement I executed in a 
most brilliant and masterly manner to a large elm tree some 
two hundred yards distant. The chief excellence of my move- 
ment was its celerity. I think I must have beaten the record. 
As soon as the fire slackened I started for my regiment but as 
it opened again I took cover in the works of the Eighty-seventh 
Indiana. When I finally reached my regiment the enemy 
seemed to have accomplished its object, for but few more 
shells were thrown. The firing on the right w^as heavy, both 
infantry and artillery. Grave apprehensions of an assault 
were entertained, but none took place. What progress we are 
making I am unable to understand. Fortifications are being 
built and batteries posted. It is believed among us who do not 
know that our right composed of the Fourth, Twentieth and 
Twenty-third Corps is being pushed forward. It is reported 
that yesterday Hooker, after advancing two miles with little 
opposition halted and began to throw up works, when he Nvas 
hotly assaulted but finally succeeded in repulsing the enemy. 
The weather is very hot ; each day seems several degrees 
warmer than the preceding; how we will stand it in July I 



FINE ARTILLERY PRACTICE loi 

cannot tell if this increasing- heat keeps on. We have lain still 
today, very little firing, none from the rebel batteries. What 
is up? " 

lender the date, Friday, June 25, 1864, Captain Cumings, 
when copying his diary, inserted the following note : 

" There seems to be here a duplicating of dates, which 
may have arisen from dropping out Sunday, June 19th. and 
perhaps Monday, June 20th, should have been Sunday, June 
19th, and the other days and dates change according to this 
date when it would be all right, but as there is no explanation 
in the original diary, I let this stand as it appears in the 
original." 

He writes under this date: 

" I saw today the finest artillery practice that I have ever 
seen by some of our batteries to the left. A large number of 
our shots ploughed the rebel works on Kenesaw, while the bat- 
teries near us gave the rebels on the points ' fits.' One shot 
from a battery just at our right and front exploded a rebel 
caisson with a heavy report and a vast cloud of smoke. The 
day has been excessively warm. I think I have never before, 
while lying still, suffered so much from heat. This excessive- 
ly hot weather will tell upon the health of the army. Dr. 
Turnbull tells me he has been connected with the regiment 
nearly one year, and he has never known so many calls of sick- 
ness at any time as for the past two or three days, and dis- 
eases of a serious character as fevers, etc. None of my men 
present are on the sick list." 

Monday, June 27, 1864. — " Early this morning we moved 
forward and took a position in rear of Davis' Division to the 
right of the Fourth Corps. This was preparatory to a general 
assault of the enemy's line. We w^ere to support Davis' Divi- 
sion which was to advance. Soon after reaching our position 
Davis' lines moved forward; a strong skirmish line followed 



loj HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

by two lines of infantry. At the same time the Fourth Corps 
advanced. Not knowing their formation I cannot give it. 
Hooker on our right, advanced, too, but feebly. The principal 
demonstration seemed to be in our immediate front. The fir- 
ing soon became extremely heavy, we advanced in line of 
battle at the same time till we reached Davis' works where we 
halted, the enemy's works being about one-third of a mile in 
front of us. Soon the wounded began to stream back, the 
proportion of officers being very large. At length the firing 
slackened, cheers rose on the air and we waited anxiously the 
result. Generals Thomas, Palmer and Baird, with their staffs, 
paced back and forward in our rear. Colonel Perkins asked 
Colonel Von Schrader, corps inspector, the result. He replied, 
'Oh! about so-so.' Shortly the Thirty-fourth Illinois, which 
was deployed as skirmishers, began to rally in our rear and we 
found from them that we were repulsed, that our skirmish 
line advanced to the enemy's works, which were very strong, 
that they planted their colors on the enemy's works, that the 
enemy was fast gi\-ing way, but, our lines failing to advance 
promptly, the enemy rallied, returned to their works and we 
were obliged to fall back. This was essentially the story along 
the whole assaulting line. There seems to have been a lack 
of preparation or a failure to execute the program which 
caused this disastrous repulse. Nothing was gained save our 
advanced position, which might have been gained at a trifling 
loss while our loss was heavy, between two thousand and three 
thousand, including many valuable officers. Among these was 
General Harker of Newton's Division, Fourth Army Corps, 
a gallant, brave and accomplished officer and a man of the 
highest qualities. All who knew him are almost inconsolable 
at his loss ; they feel that great as is his loss to his friends it 
is far greater to the service. A friend of mine who belongs 
to the Sixty-fifth Ohio, his old regiment, who saw him fall, 



/ 7^77" TO KENESAW MOUNTAIN 103 

says lie rode l)()l(lly up to the front line, a few yards from the 
enemy's works. \\a\-e(l his hat and shouted, ' Forward, men,' 
and fell from his horse mortally wounded. This unfortunate 
affair spread a gloom over the army. I hope that we shall 
have no more such. The chances were all against us as the 
affair was managed. I wonder that it was undertaken. The 
day was intensely, terrihly hot, and the men were double- 
quicked a half mile. This of itself would defeat them." 

July 3, the enemy withdrew from Kenesaw, our forces 
occupy Marietta, Georgia, and the next day garrison the town. 
July 5, Mr. Cumings was detailed for picket duty. 

Wednesday, July 6, 1864. — " Was relieved at an early 
hour by Lieutenant Morgaridge. Spent the day mostly in 
sleeping and reading. W^ent down towards night and spent 
what little money I had left in paying a barber fifty cents to 
shave me and cut my hair. If paymasters and supplies do not 
soon reach us I do not know what we shall do. I am ragged 
and out of money. I saw a large number of prisoners in town 
and learned that our troops have been quite successful at the 
front the past two or three days, capturing several lines of 
works, prisoners, etc." 

Tuesday, July 12. 1864. — "Went out to the picket line 
this afternoon. Saw some very fair specimens of Georgia 
female beauty attempting to get through the lines to town, but 
' no go.' This afternoon in company with Orderly Sergeant 
M. D. Smith, visited Kenesaw Mountain, visiting first the 
western point running out from Little Kenesaw upon which 
were located the sharpshooters who annoyed us so much at one 
time. With much labor they had made very excellent protec- 
tion for themselves from our riflemen and artillery. I think 
the task of carrying their works by assault would have been a 
difTficult one. From the point I passed on to Little Kenesaw 
and to Big Kenesaw, then down making the whole length of 



I04 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

the mountain. The works are strong but the evidence of 
splendid artillery practice on our part is very abundant. I 
think still that if we had pushed boldly forward the afternoon 
of June 19th we might have carried the mountain at small loss. 
Probably a skirmish line well supported would have done the 
work and saved two weeks of valuable time and considerable 
loss of men and ordinance, and avoided the bloody assault of 
the twenty-seventh of June. Still, I presume that at that time 
General Sherman did not suppose that the enemy would halt 
at Kenesaw. The view from the top of Kenesaw was magnifi- 
cent in the extreme, east, west, north and south, the eye ranged 
over a vast expanse of country, gently rolling, covered with 
verdure, varied thickly with rich famis and beautiful groves; 
the railroad could be seen for many miles coming down from 
the Allatoona pass, winding around the base of Kenesaw and 
off to the south. Trains of cars, like a huge serpent pursued 
their winding course. The spires and buildings of Atlanta, 
distant twenty miles at least in an air line, were in full view. 
The smoke of our camp fires at the front in a long line could 
be seen ; rising here and there beautiful peaks jutted up, their 
tops shrouded in clouds. In three directions showers could be 
seen, forming beautiful rainbows below us. The many grand 
and beautiful scenes from the top of Kenesaw will long linger 
in my memory. Returning I found my regiment in line, just 
about to make a reconnaisance, a rebel cavalry force being re- 
ported somewhere near, marched rapidly four or five miles 
north, found no signs of the enemy, and returned as rapidly, 
reaching camp about 8 130 p. m. Here I found a fine supper 
awaiting me, ate it with the greatest relish, and felt tired 
enough to sleep soundly." 



VII. 

THE ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. 

The real advance toward Atlanta began Monday, July 
i/th. when the army crossed the Chattahooche. The battle of 
Peach Tree Creek was fought July 20th. 

Thursday. July 21, 1864. — " This afternoon we advanced 
to the line to the left of the third brigade of our division. The 
skirmish line was advanced some distance and we followed up 
We were exposed to a fire from the enemy's skirmish line but 
closely and threw up works upon reaching our final position, 
lost but one man, John Compton of Company ' G,' who was 
mortally wounded at my side while at work on the breastwork. 
We finished ours at about midnight and lay down to sleep." 

Friday, July 22, 1864. — " This morning the enemy were 
found to have evacuated their line of works. At an early hour 
we moved forward. Skirmishing was heard constantly in the 
direction of Atlanta, but light. Finally, when about two and 
one-half miles from Atlanta on, I should judge, the Marietta 
road we discovered that our skirmish line was not far in front. 
Our division moved by an angling road to the right and finally 
took up a position on a slight ridge, facing south, southeast. 
On our right was the first brigade, on the left the third bri- 
gade of our division. The Second (Davis') Division is posted 
strongly on a high ridge, facing east, south and west. This is 
the right of our infantry line. The Fourth, Twentieth, Twen- 
ty-third and McPherson's Corps are on our left. During the 
afternoon the fighting has been very heavy on our left. IMen 
on the skirmish line away from the bustle of camp say that the 
Chickamauga roar was almost revived. 



io6 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

" The details of the engagement on the left are now re- 
ported thus : McPherson, advancing, was entering the suburbs 
of Atlanta, the enemy opposing no great resistance, when he 
was suddenly attacked by the enemy in heavy force, his men 
driven back, artillery captured, etc. ; his men soon rallied, drove 
back the enemy, retook their position and most of the lost artil- 
lery, but the gallant McPherson fell while rallying his troops. 
The enemy's works are in full view from us, they have been 
built some time and are apparently quite complete. Our loss in 
two days' action has been officially reported at 3,400 men." 

Sunday, July 24, 1864. — " The enemy opened this even- 
ing with very heavy guns from a battery to our left, nearly 
on a prolongation of the line of our regiment and about two 
and one-half miles distant as I estimated from the time be- 
tw'een the flash and the report of the guns. The flash of these 
heavy guns is very bright. While standing with my face to- 
wards the battery I was always sensible of the firing of any 
of these guns, and this, too, with a dense woods between the 
battery and us. Soon after I fell asleep I was aroused by a 
fierce cannonading between one of our batteries consisting of 
twenty-pounder Parrots, and these heavy guns of the enemy. 
I do not know that anything ever impressed me more with a 
feeling of awful sublimity and grandeur than this scene. The 
heavens seemed literally aglow with the lurid light of the 
flashing- guns and the earth trembled beneath the explosions 
as under the tread of a giant. But I had little time to dream 
of grand or awTul things, for in a moment a half dozen bugles 
sounded the assembly. Doubtful whether our own or the 
enemy's bugles were sounding, but knowing something was 
afoot I hastly pulled on my boots ; just then the musketry 
burst out in a heavy rattle, a terrific yelling swept along our 
line, leaving us here very much bewildered whether we were 



THE SIEGE OF ATLANTA 107 

assaulting- or the enemy, or wliat was \\\). It has since trans- 
pired that our skirmish line was achanced at one point, all the 
rest was a feint."" 

"Alonday, July 25, 1864. — " Today is the second yearly 
anni\'ersary of my entrance into the army ; two years ago to- 
day I became a soldier. Looking- back the time seems brief, 
though as I review it incident l)y incident, it prolongs itself to 
an age. How many new experiences, how many eventful 
scenes, how many memorable days are crowded into my two 
years in the army. In a little less than thirteen months my 
regiment's term of service will expire. I think now that three 
years of service will satisfy my conscience and desires to do 
military service." 

The siege of Atlanta is in progress. 

^londay, August i, 1864. — " ]\Iy leisure time I mostly 
occupy in reading. I have been reading recently ' The Marble 
Faun." by Hawthorne. I am delighted with the work and still 
am not entirely satisfied. One sometimes reads books that to 
use Keats" phrase ' are a joy forever." They are full, com- 
plete, rounded up, just filling the measure and leaving you 
charmed and satisfied. There are others which one reads w'ith 
delight and yet there is a shadow of mystery, a sense of in- 
completeness, an incongruity, or a something that leaves you 
not quite satisfied, not wholly pleased. Hawthorne is for me 
too etherial, too romantic, too much in the clouds, though his 
charming expressions, his gems of thought, here and there, 
cannot fail to delight."' 

Friday, August 5, 1864. — " This morning we again 
moved out in the same train as last night, our regiment de- 
tailed to support the skirmish line. After advancing a short 
distance, perhaps one-third of a mile to the right, w^e halted 
and lay down on the rear slope of a low hill one hundred and 
fifty yards in rear of the skirmish line, which had crept up to 



io8 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

within one hundred and fifty yards of the rebel skirmish line 
(an easy matter on account of the thick undergrowth), and 
had taken such cover as they could. When all was ready a 
bugle sounded the advance, our skirmishers raised a yell, the 
enemy let loose a volley cutting the undergrowth wonderfully, 
but otherwise harmless ; immediately our men sprang to their 
feet and rushed forward. In three minutes the rebel rifle pits 
were ours and our division was better off by two hundred and 
fifty prisoners and with slight loss. In our regimental front 
alone sixty prisoners were taken in out of the wet. Vallee of 
Company ' C a fine soldier and a reliable man, rushed up to 
a pit full of rebels, seized a lieutenant and claimed him as his 
prisoner. He was immediately shot through the upper portion 
of the breast by another rebel. He lived but a short time. 

" We halted near the rebel rifle pits and dug a rifle trench. 
We had scarcely secured tolerable protection when the enemy 
opened a very heavy artillery fire upon us from several bat- 
teries. The air was full of flying shell and spherical case. I 
think I have never before experienced so hot a shelling but we 
lay close and no one was hurt. After the shelling ceased we 
strengthened our works." 

Sunday, August 7, 1864. — " Today our skirmish line was 
advanced. There was a demonstration along our entire line 
for the purpose, I understand, of making a diversion in favor 
of Schofield who is swinging around to the right. 

" About 10 o'clock the line was advanced; at once hot fir- 
ing, both infantry and artillery, opened along the line. We lay 
down behind our works. The skirmish line in front advanced 
to W'ithin thirty yards of the enemy's rifle pits and halted and 
shortly fell back. 

" Sharp firing continued until nearly night ; still we had 
but two men of our detail wounded. This evening there was 
another spurt of picket firing, which routed us all out, but 



LARRY KELLY AND " WATCH " 109 

amounted to nothing. The hnes are so close that the enemy's 
balls fly over us constantly, in cases of unusual firing making 
it decidedly warm, although as the ground descends to the rear 
from our works they cannot get down very low." 

Monday, August 8, 1864. — " This morning we moved our 
line forward about one hundred yards to support the Nine- 
teenth Indiana Battery, which is throwing up a work in front 
of the left of our regiment, and also to conform to the line of 
the First brigade on our right, which is also thrown forward. 
\\> built very strong works and put up an abattis of sharpened 
stakes in front. We were now in plain sight and within seven 
hundred yards of the enemy's main line. His skirmishers can- 
not be more than four hundred and fifty yards distant. 

" The ground rises from our works to the rear, hence 
they are no protection to us when a little in rear of our line. 
I took the precaution, in pitching my tent, which is well to the 
rear and wholly unprotected, to build a pile of logs two feet 
high in front of my tent." 

Tuesday. August 9, 1864. — " As I was passing Company 
' C going to my breakfast this morning, a ball came, striking 
Larry Kelly of that company as he sat over the fire cooking his 
breakfast. It entered near his collarbone, passing dow^n, in- 
flicting a mortal wound. Every one in the regiment knew 
Larry. His dog, too, has been a fixture of the regiment. 
When leaving Louisville on the Perryville campaign, this dog 
came bounding to our (Parsons') battery. He immediately 
' enlisted for the war,' attaching himself to the battery and to 
the gain to which Larry belonged. He made it his business to 
look after the interests of the battery in general and that gun 
in particular. He distinguished himself by his strict watchful- 
ness over all the property of the battery when strangers were 
about and by his excellent judgment in determining who were 
proper characters to have around. At Perryville he shared in 



no HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

the dangers and glory of the occasion and received a wound. 
When the battery was broken up and Larry was returned to 
the regiment, Watch accompanied him and has ever since fol- 
lowed this regiment, faithfully, always ' for duty,' always in 
the front, joining in the sports of the regiment with zest, 
knowing by instinct apparently when a pig was to be ' foraged,' 
and following on to catch the ' game ' and receive his share of 
the prize. Last night, while scouting about our picket line he 
received a wound which proved mortal. Larry was almost 
inconsolable, but he had not long to mourn his constant com- 
panion. This morning a stray shot, such as killed his dog, 
hit him and gave him a mortal wound. A little later another 
shot passed through several tents in my company and struck 
John Fuller of my regiment in the head, killing him instantly." 
Wednesday, August 17, 1864. — " Made out clothing re- 
ceipt rolls for May and June combined. The issued of May 
being only seven pairs of shoes. Rumors that the railroad to 
our rear is cut at Dalton ; no mail yesterday or today in conse- 
quence. Enemy firing with artillery, unusual activity among 
them ; something up. \\q slept last night with cartridge boxes, 
etc., and shoes on, great vigilance in our camp but no disturb- 
ance by the ' Johnnies.' Demonstration by our artillery and 
skirmish line today. There is, along much of the line, a tacit 
agreement not to fire. After the firing had continued as long 
as desired, one of the One Hundred and First Lidiana boys, 
who have no pickets in advance of their main line because of 
the nearness of the enemy, sprang up and shouted ' Halloo, 
over there; we are satisfied if you are.' 'Johnny ' answered, 
' We will stop firing if you will,' and so peace reigned again." 

Sunday. August ji, 1864. — " This is the second anniver- 
sary of the muster-in of our regiment. Two-thirds of the 
journey is done, the last is begun. Hereafter our unexpired 
term of service is reckoned by days and months, not years. 



CAPTAIN CUMINGS SPEAKS OUT iii 

Two years ag'o today I was mustered into the United States 
service. I was full of enthusiasm, burning- for military suc- 
cess and honor. Anything affecting my credit or success in 
the military line, I was tenderly sensitive to. This spirit lasted 
some time. I was full of it at Perryville. I did myself credit 
and deserved the reward of well doing". I was detailed — still 
I cherished my old chivalric fancies and returned early to my 
regiment because it was seeing service at the front and I was 
not, and I was unwilling" that it should appear that I was slow 
to take any share of the hardships and dangers at the front and 
was unmindful of the credit there to be won. Here I first en- 
countered the enmity of a man whose influence was all power- 
ful in recognizing or ignoring my services. An unfortunate 
difference, an arbitrary and unjust assumption stoutly resisted, 
made Colonel Hall my enemy. A pride that would not allow 
me to toady to his vanity, strengthened his dislike. The conse- 
Cjuence was, no chance was henceforth allowed me. I served 
on uncomplainingly, doing my duty faithfully. In the mean- 
time my claims to promotion were slighted, my eft'orts to finish 
up unsettled Cjuartermaster business, unsettled through Colonel 
Hall's interference, were thwarted. Patience began to give 
way ; I began to feel that here was no place for me. ^ly pride 
was deeply stung by the matter of promotions and I would 
have promptly sent in my resignation but to have done so 
would ha\'e simply gratified my g-reat enemy, and invited my 
own disgrace ; and besides the state of my accounts made it 
impossible. So fall came. I would not resign during an active 
campaign. During the siege of Chattanooga I was unwilling 
to do so. At length came ^Mission Ridge and that brief but 
glorious campaign. Here was the time to do that for which 
I had so long waited a suitable opportunity. But now there 
seemed a disposition to do me justice. I was recommended for 
the promotion already my due. I was sent home on recruiting 



1 12 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

service as a mark of great favor and flattered somewhat, and 
so more hopeful, I delayed my resignation. I rejoined my 
regiment and started on this campaign, now with my promo- 
tion, but the change in the spirit of the army was striking. 
No military ambition, no enthusiasm, no high chivalric spirit. 
Officers and men alike speak of the service as something to be 
endured. A man exhibiting unusual daring is ridiculed, any 
military duties not absolutely necessary are shirked. Attention 
to the points of military etiquette, of soldierly bearing and 
pride there are not, to any great degree. In short, military life 
and ser\'ice are turned into drudgery, everything promoting 
pride and enthusiasm disregarded or discouraged and so far 
as possible the service of the government made the servitude of 
the government. Such is the army of today. We may talk 
as we choose it is not an efficient army and the world may 
learn it well some of these days. ' Old Rosy,' as the boys de- 
lighted to call him, could, if allowed his own way with his 
army, have brought them to that state of discipline that they 
would have followed him to the gates of hell if he bade. 

" This campaign will see no such sturdy fighting as wit- 
nessed the oaks of Chickamauga Creek that September day, 
because it breathes no such spirit as did the army of * Old 
Rosy.' Mission Ridge was a tribute to Rosecrans for it was 
his spirit, still fresh, that scaled those peaks and won the ridge 
with bayonet point. Today I am here, dissatisfied, discour- 
aged. I wish I was somewhere, I might almost say, anywhere 
else. If the campaign were over I would offer my resignation. 
I cannot endure such base living, such selfishness, such utter 
absence of the true military spirit. It is useless to attempt 
either discipline or energy in my command with such a state 
of affairs. With me, in this regiment, so far as the love of it 
goes, soldiering ' is played out." I shall endeavor to do my 




BWfc*' 









Monument in Memory of the 105th Ohio Infantry 



READS " HANNAH TH URSTON " 115 

duty, that is barely all ; then, worry out the time. I cannot 
l)lanie myself for this feeling, any other would be impossible 
to me." 

\\t know just how Captain Cumings felt when these 
words were penned. We have been in the same place. To 
write it out, though it might never be read by another, was a 
relief. Let him who never had like feelings cast the first word 
of regret at this personal recital. It needs no apology, no ex- 
cuse. Everybody doubtless sometime in his life has had sim- 
ilar experience. To be neglected and ignored when we deserve 
recognition and appreciation ; to be kept down and see our in- 
feriors lifted above us ; to be denied personal approval when 
we have earned and merited public reward; to meet only with 
disappointment and discouragement ; to suffer from mere 
prejudice and littleness and revenge; to work hard, to hope, 
to expect, to strive, to do well, and profit — nothing! this is not 
for human nature to endure without a pang-, without a word. 
To resent is the manly part. There are dark days in every 
human life. To toil on until the heart sweats, and all appar- 
ently in vain — more than enough ! Rowing up stream, only 
to be carried down by the current ; climbing the mountain with 
sweat and agony and bleeding- feet, to find the summit ever 
more distant; to perform the Sisyphus labor of rolling the 
huge stone to the top of the hill only to repeat the labor, as it 
no sooner reaches the top than it comes thundering down again 
into the valley : no wonder that sometimes the spirit droops, 
the courage fails, complaint is fairh^ tortured from the un- 
willing lips. It is not a sign of weakness, but a righteous pro- 
test against unmanliness and unmannerliness and revengeful- 
ness and all that is unsoldierlike and small and unmanly and 
cruel. The greatest men of all the ages have sometimes given 
wav. 



ii6 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

But Captain Cumings did not permit this to affect his 
loyalty to himself, his country, and his duty. He remained 
a soldier and a man. He did not cringe; he stood upright; he 
looked men, the world, the stars squarely in the face and that 
without blinking. 

Friday, August 26, 1864. — " Finished ' Hannah Thur- 
ston ' today. I find in it much that I like, something that 
I dislike. So far as the woman's rights question I fully 
agree with the author. Woodbury's sturdy individuality and 
independence of personal habits, I almost approve. I think 
while one has a right to exercise his own will in the choice of 
friends, in his domestic arrangements and personal habits, still 
he must not forget that as a member of society he has duties 
and obligations ; and while he should in no case yield to an ex- 
acting public opinion what it has no right to demand, to bow 
to the usurpations of bigotry and intolerence, he should be per- 
vaded by that thorough spirit of politeness — of Christianity 
which will in no case allow the harmony of society to be dis- 
turbed or the prejudices of others treated rudely, when it can 
well be avoided. I do not quite like the bitterness of the 
author's sneers at what may be termed the excrescences of in- 
ordinate and misguided religious or reformatory zeal. Not 
but that his blows are well and deservedly dealt, but I imagine 
sometimes a spirit shows itself in this, that would lead one to 
suspect that he hated more than the excrescences. I think that 
I come daily to hate, with a broader and deeper hate, shams 
of every description, to admire more what is manly in spirit, 
and delicate and high toned in feeling. Woodbury was a rare 
man ; Hannah Thurston is I think a possible character. I 
think I know one somewhat similar. I have always been 
greatly astonished at this woman's rights movement, not that 
fools could be found to adopt it but that so many apparently 
sensible people should tolerate theories so palpably absurd, so 



BATTLE OF JONESBORO 117 

distinctly opposed to every true womanly instinct. I am glad 
' Hannah Thurston ' is written. The good will live after it, 
the evil will I hope destroy itself." 

Thursday, September i, 1864. — " This morning the men 
were aroused at 3 o'clock and sat with arms in their hands till 
daylight, more ' military sagacity.' Then they * lit out ' for 
forage. Honey, sweet potatoes, mutton, etc., were soon abun- 
dant. About 10 o'clock the Se\-enty-fifth and Eighty-seventh 
Indiana returned and we marched, returning to the Jonesboro 
road, then moving south until we reached the Army of the Ten- 
nessee, whose batteries were playing lively upon the enemy in 
position covering Jonesboro. It seems our line had been fomi- 
ed along the road leading north from Jonesboro. This fore- 
noon, or more properly today, the First and Second Divisions 
of our corps pushed forward swinging around their left so as 
to form their line east and west, facing south at right angles 
to Howard. We moved in on their left, our left resting on the 
railroad track, our brigade in reserve for the division, on account 
of our hard service of last night. Before we came into position, 
about 3 o'clock, Carlin of the First Division and Morgan of the 
Second Division, Fourteenth Corps, began to close up on the 
enemy. When our division was going into position, the firing 
in their front became quite heavy. The regular brigade charged 
and broke in confusion ; they were three times repulsed. 
At length the First and Third Brigades of our division 
went into line and charged the enemy's works. Colonel Esty, 
with the Third Brigade carried at once and handsomely the 
works from which the regular brigade fled in confusion. Gen- 
eral Baird rode at their head, waving his hat. Two horses 
were shot under him but he escaped. The First Brigade, too, 
did their work well. At length, at dark, firing ceased without 
our brigade opening fire. We rested for the night in the posi- 
tion that we took as reserve three hundred or four hundred 



ii8 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

yards from the line of rebel works which our division carried. 
We suffered Httle loss, only being exposed to the enemy's artil- 
ler)^ fire and straggling musketry. One artillery shot that 
passed through my company stunned some of the men and 
filled our eyes with dirt but did no other harm. The chief 
cook of my mess was painfully wounded by a fragment of 
shell. The result of the action has been fine. The enemy were 
driven from their works, and had daylight lasted, in a short 
time they would have been routed, as the Fourth and Twenty- 
third Corps were at dark on their flank and rear and would 
ha\'e cut oft" their retreat. As it is, Morgan's Division is re- 
ported by General Baird to have taken several pieces of artil- 
lery, eight stands of colors and five hundred prisoners. Our 
division, five stand of colors and five hundred prisoners. Car- 
lin's Division is reported to have done well. The Fourth Corps 
is reported to have taken four pieces of artillery. I do not 
know what Howard's army did. General Baird estimates 
artillery taken in all at twenty pieces. Our loss is heavy; 
i,ooo in our corps, greater in killed and wounded probably 
than the enemy as he fought behind works. Our corps has 
today been the first to capture a line of w-orks by assault dur- 
ing the campaign on either side ; heretofore failure has been 
the uniform result. ' Thomas' pets,' as the rest of the army 
sneeringiy call our corps because General Thomas usually 
keeps us in reserve, can be counted on if there is difficult work 
to be done. The corps that saved the army at Chickamauga is 
still worthy of its old fame." 

Captain Cumings with a few others, returning from a 
foraging expedition, stopped at a house where there were sev- 
eral girls " with rather pretty faces, slouchy, dirty dresses, 
some of them chewing tobacco, intensely rebel and contemp- 
tuous of Yankees, ' lowdowns ' and ' trash ' by which I was 
led to suppose they meant a class of the inhabitants here. 



THE LONG CAMPAIGN ENDED 119 

Their venom was amusing; their assumption of aristocracy 
and superiority, contrasting with their language, actions, dress 
and personal habits still more funny. One young girl told me 
with what I suppose was meant to be an imitation of the 
' true Southern air ' that she had a seven-shooter and she 
would kill a Yankee before they left she would bet. I laugh- 
ingly asked her to give me notice before she assumed the of- 
fensive." 

Atlanta ^\■as taken the second day of September, and then 
there was a month of much needed rest. Of this campaign 
Albion W. Tourgee says : 

" During these four months the ' Thousand ' was in 
camp out of the line of fire only fifteen days. Of these, five 
days was the longest period passed in any one camp. They 
were eightv-three days directly under fire, either in battle, on 
the skirmish line, in pursuit of the enemy or engaged in siege 
operations. The other twenty-three days they were on the 
march. This terrible stretch of continuous duty in the scorch- 
ing heat of the Southern summer is well nigh unparalleled. 
It was followed by a month of rest, from September 3d until 
October 2nd. One of the men, writing in his journal at the 
time, declares that no man or officer had ' a change of clothing 
for fifty-six days! ' " 

General Baird. who commanded this division of the Anny 
of the Cumberland, says : 

" The quiet and heroic patience with which all has been 
undergone and duty performed, whilst establishing for them 
the highest reputation, will tend to cause their hardships to be 
forgotten. Starting without transportation and with only 
supplies for an expedition of three or six weeks, these things 
have been required to last for four months, so that often our 
officers, lying in the dirt and rain for days without shelter, 
ha\'e been unable to preserve the ordinary cleanliness which is 



I20 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

essential to good health, and many have broken down for want 
of proper food. During the greater part of the time our men 
have lain constantly under the enemy's fire, at every moment 
liable to be picked ofif ; whilst the sound, not of distant artillery 
and musketry, but of the closely whistling bullet and bursting 
shell, has seldom been out of our ears. The rest which they 
have now and then experienced by the simple cessation of these 
noises has been very great." 

It is not possible to overestimate the effect of this cam- 
paign throughout the whole country. The nation was elec- 
trified and aflame with excitement. The re-election of Abra- 
ham Lincoln was assured. Tourgee quotes a passenger on one 
of the railways running out of New York on the evening of the 
day on which the news of the capture of Atlanta was received, 
as saying : " All night long we traveled with the sound of 
clanging bells, the shouts of rejoicing multitudes in our 
ears and the glare of bonfires lighting our way. The peo- 
ple seemed intoxicated with delight. The morning took up, in 
an intensified form, the rejoicing of the night before. The 
people from the country had crowded into the towns and 
cities and all the way to Chicago we saw a populace intoxi- 
cated with the rapture of long-delayed, but decisive victory. 
Yet no one uttered a word of vengefulness against the foe ; 
every one was exulting in the thought of peace and the bless- 
ing it would bring' to all." 

Idle President of the United States issued this order: 
" That on Wednesday, the seventh day of September, com- 
mencing at the hour of twelve noon, there shall be fired a 
salute of a hundred guns at the arsenal at Washington, and at 
New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, New- 
port, Ky. ; St. Louis, New Orleans, Mobile, Pensacola, Hilton 
Head and New Berne, or the day after the receipt of the or- 
der, for the brilliant achievements of the army under command 



ELECTION ON THE MARCH 121 

of A[aj()i--( General Sherman in the State of (korg-ia, and the 
capture of Atlanta. The Secretary of War will issue direc- 
tions for the execution of this order." 

Northern soldiers were often astonished at the white skin 
of some of the slaves which was an unanswerable, though 
silent witness to the iniquity of the " institution." 

" A man just escaped from slavery came in. September 
17th, sent through with a guard from the picket line. He is 
perfectly white, has lightish brown hair, light blue eyes, en- 
tirely Saxon features and speech : no sign of negro blood that 
one of us could detect. He said his mother was a dark mulat- 
to ; his father he supposed to be a white man. I have seen 
many very light mulattoes and quadroons but never before a 
case where I could detect no signs of negro blood. This man 
has spent forty-five years in slavery. I suspect that there is 
something' unexplained about this man. I do not believe there 
is a drop of neg'ro blood in his veins. Rode over to the race 
track General Kilpatrick is having built. The general is look- 
ing very well ; a man of medium height, strongly built, every 
movement showing muscle and nerve, broad across the shoul- 
ders and deep in the chest ; a prominent nose, thin, narrow 
upper lip; a dangerous looking mouth, light hair, light eyes, 
ruddy face ; a man of very peculiar face, he impresses one as a 
man utterly reckless of danger, impulsive, dashing, passionate ; 
a man, too, of much selfishness, I believe. I was in his room 
a half hour this evening." 

Captain Cumings mentions the election on the eleventh 
day of October. Tourgee describes the process : 

" At that time, Ohio voted for State officers, on the second 
Tuesday of October, and the soldiers of the Thousand were 
still citizens of the Buckeye State, and entitled by law to vote 
for Governor and State officers. Captain Cumings acted as 
clerk of the polls and Captain Stambaugh. one of the judges 



122 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

of the election, held a haversack, which was used as a ballot 
box. In previous elections a cracker-box sei*ved that purpose, 
and in the Presidential election, in November following, it 
was again restored to duty in that capacity. The clerk used a 
medicine case, borrowed from the surgeon, for a desk. When 
the halt was over, the polls w^ere closed and re-opened again on 
reaching the point selected for the camp. The election passed 
off very cjuietly. The regiment cast two hundred and eighty- 
four votes, all for the ' Brough ticket.' John Brough being the 
Union candidate for Governor, though one man scratched 
Brough's name off his ticket. So a traveling election for offi- 
cers of the State of Ohio, was held about five miles beyond 
Allatoona, and along the road, twelve or fifteen miles toward 
Kingston, in the State of Georgia." 



VIII. 

" MARCHING THROUGH GEORGIA." 

Tt ]ias often been remarked that the tendency of army Hfe, 
especially when in active service and in the enemy's territory, 
is toward disregard of ci\'il rights and the sacrechiess of prop- 
erty : and leads to recklessness and e\'il habits, hard-hearted- 
ness and cruelty. Tt must 1)e admitted that this often seems to 
be the case, but we must also insist upon the fact that this is 
seldom the result of military life except wdiere the tendency 
existed, to some extent at heart, previous to enlistment. We 
do well also to make a distinction between soldiers by profes- 
sion or soldiers of fortune and our citizen soldiers, largely 
volunteers and serving from high and patriotic motives who. 
as soon as their work was accomplished, returned to home and 
family and the peaceful occupations with which they had for- 
merly been familiar. Not seldom, too, army life leads to a 
more firm stand in behalf of moralitv and virtue. Those who 
have been students of soldier life have recognized these ([uite 
opposite tendencies. 

When the armv is compelled to draw supplies from the 
resources of the enemy, there is a strong temptation to reck- 
lessness, unnecessary harshness, and disregard of human suf- 
fering, and sometimes disregard of human life. And with so 
mightv a military host, composed of all kinds of material, it 
could not be expected otherwise. There would inevitably be 
more or less of the lawless, don't care, and dare-devil. De- 
tached duty would often lead away from the usual restraints 
of authority. Military discipline would be slackened. Crime 
and crueltv would follow — this, however, confined to the com- 
parati\'e few. Thus it was that Sherman's foragers acquired 
the name of " bums." 



124 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

It is greatly to the credit of both the head and the heart 
of Captain Ciimings that he never could become reconciled to 
unnecessary destruction of property or unnecessary suffering 
imposed upon the enemy, or anything insulting or wanton, or 
pillage for its own sake. He sturdidly set himself against such 
unsoldierlike conduct. Again and again he refers to the sub- 
ject in his diary. It hurt him to his heart. The blazing forth 
of the full heat of his wrath on one occasion told the disgust 
and horror in which he held a soldier who vilely insulted and 
outraged a Southern woman. Another incident reveals his 
real character in a fresh and instructive light. He was in 
charge of a foraging party. They reached a place which bore 
the marks of want and poverty ; yet they might have collected 
something for their fellow comrades. At his command they 
passed on. But the captain, nearly famished, " begged " a 
baked sweet potato of an old colored aunty. This was doubt- 
less a sweet memory with the aged colored saint throughout 
her life, and we may be sure that she related as long as she 
lived how that once in the time of the war, with her own hand 
she placed a baked potato in the very hand of a Union soldier 
who was " some great officer, too." 

Captain Cumings expresses his regret at the gambling 
habits of many of his fellow-officers after pay day. This was 
a habit greatly to be deplored. Families at home might be suf- 
fering for want of that which the money gambled away by 
fathers, brothers and sons, would buy. 

He was an interested and interesting correspondent, and 
letters were passing upon every opportunity to and from 
family and friends. Thus he was in continual touch with 
home, and the home feelings and thoughts were the guardians 
of his heart, preserving its freshness and tenderness. But we 
w ill let the diary speak again : 



A SPY CAPTURED 125 

Wednesday, November 16, 1864. — " Last night a consid- 
erable portion of Atlanta was burned. The sight was very- 
grand but I confess I rarely have witnessed sights that caused 
me more pain. Whatever destruction of property or life or 
whatever suffering the necessities of war may impose let it be 
so, as it must be so, but wanton destruction of life or property 
or needless inhumanity is unchristian, and unworthy of a brave 
man or the honorable profession of amis. It will surely de- 
moralize an army and destroy the high spirit and nice sense of 
honor which should characterize every soldier." 

Thursday, November 17, 1864. — '* During the day a man 
w^as arrested in our uniform, circulating among the troops as a 
spy. He gave very conflicting accounts of himself and finally 
feigned insanity and general idiocy. He showed semi-indica- 
tions of the latter by quite overdoing the thing and satisfying 
every one that there w^as something wrong, not with his head 
but with his character. Soon after dark he sprang from the 
ambulance in wdiich he was carried and attempted to escape. 
One guard bavonetted him, another fired upon him but missed 
him. He ran off rapidly. Captain Wallace wdio was resting 
near ran after him. The prisoner stumbled, gathered himself 
and ran on. but his stumbling brought Captain Wallace upon 
him when he struck him a terrible blow on the head with the 
guard of his sabre, bending it almost double and effectually 
quieting the prisoner. He was brought back, was found thrust 
through the body with the bayonet, was brought into camp, his 
wound dressed. Believing himself fatally wounded he con- 
fessed himself a rebel soldier but declined to reveal his purpose 
among us, but of this of course there is no question. 

Sunday, November 20, 1864. — " Were slow in getting out 
this morning. Finally are under w^ay and getting on well. 
Took dinner at Shady Dale, the plantation of a very wealthy 
planter by the name of Samuel Whitefield. His negro quarters 



126 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

form a village larger than many southern towns of consider- 
able pretention. As we reached the place our band struck up. 
The negroes, mostly women and children, the men having gen- 
erally gone on with our army, flocked out, fell in behind the 
band and followed on ; the band soon wheeled out to the road- 
side, still playing, when the ' wenches ' to the number of 
twenty-five or thirty indulged in a regular ' hoe down.' The 
scene occasioned a great deal of merriment among the troops. 
Camped soon after dark about five miles from Eatontown. 
Colonel Gleason commanding Second Brigade distinguished 
himself by stopping at every house where there were women, 
usually halting the brigade until he had stopped and exhibited 
himself to his satisfaction. Was sent on picket tonight. Had 
a wretched night of it as it rained hard all night; the ground 
was soft and muddy and soon overflowed with water. Was 
relieved from duty on line about 3 a. m. ; I should have been 
relieved at 2 a. m., but for the carelessness and inefficiency of 
the officer getting out the relief. I collected a heap of pine 
boughs and laid down, drawing my poncho over me. So I 
slept for a short time but awoke to find the water rising through 
the brush and wetting me. I then brought rails one-fourth of 
a mile and built up a more secure perch." 

Tuesday, November 22, 1864. — " Last night was quite 
cold, this morning the ground is frozen and it must be very 
cold for this latitude. We marched early, about daylight. To- 
day our brigade has the advance of the corps. Marched about 
eight or ten miles towards Milledgeville and camped soon after 
dinner on a plantation belonging to Howell Cobb. We spent 
the afternoon resting and feasting at the expense of the Hon. 
Howell Cobb. Sorghum syrup of the finest quality that I have 
seen, large quantities, too, of peanuts, or as they are called here 
' goober peas.' were found and the regiment was abundantly 
supplied with forage. Reports today of the Twentieth Corps 



DOINGS OF THE MOCK SENATE 127 

in Milledgeville, Kilpatrick four miles from Alacon and How- 
ard on the Macon and Sa\'annah Railroad. Orders received 
relative to foraging, turning over extra animals, receiving 
negroes into camp, etc., from both division and corps head- 
quarters." 

Wednesday, November 23, 1864. — " Marched about 7 a. 
m. ; halted for dinner about 12. Company ' H ' distinguished 
itself by setting fire to the tall grass in which we halted and 
burning many articles of baggage. Camped about 2 o'clock 
in the suburbs of Milledgeville. I contented myself with rest- 
ing, not visiting the city. The men brought in many pikes or 
lances and huge knives or cleavers found in town. The idea 
of using such tools for warfare in these days of Spencer and 
Henry rifles and Colt's revolvers is refreshingly absurd. Cap- 
tain Braden who was in town happened in the Senate chamber 
of the Capitol as a mock senate of officers, mostly belonging to 
the Twentieth Corps was in session. Strange metamorphoses 
were visible. Officers noted for their conservative character, 
under the inspiration of the ideas that Oglethorpe, Jasper, 
DeKalb, or other counties were looking to them for the advo- 
cacy of their interests became the most voracious ' fire eaters.' 
The Yankees, that restless, incjuisitive, swindling and vulgar 
tribe, received an amount of abuse not unparalleled perhaps 
in those halls, but astonishing in view of the number of repre- 
sentatives present. Various papers, bills, bonds, etc., lacking 
the signature of the Governor were found. Strong complaints 
were made against the Governor for his treatment of the busi- 
ness of the Legislative Assembly. Finally the matter was re- 
ferred to a committee of one to look up the Governor and have 
these matters attended to. On motion General Kilpatrick was 
appointed that committee. After a season of the most boister- 
ous fun a courier entered shouting, ' The Yankees are coming,' 
and the entire body precipitately took to their heels. 



128 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Thursday, November 24, 1864. — " Visited the city of 
Mihedgeville this morning. Was in the State House. Found 
here a fine hbrary which is being very badly used. I am very 
sorry to see such collections of books and documents disturbed. 
This afternoon rode over town with Captain Wilcox. Called 
at General Kilpatrick's headquarters. Had a pleasant visit 
with Captain Harry Day. Learned much of past operations on 
the right during this campaign and something of proposed 
operations for the future. Kilpatrick starts this evening on 
an expedition, proposing to cut the railroad between Augusta 
and Millen, and if possible liberate our prisoners at Millen. 
General Kilpatrick's chief desire I thought was to get an early 
start and keep Wheeler in his rear or on his flank. The State 
House looks very well, though small at a distance, but upon 
approaching, the effect is spoiled by remarking the fact that in- 
stead of stone the building is brick, plastered and marked to 
imitate stone and showing now large patches of bare brick from 
which the motar is fallen. A regiment or two was camped in 
the park, and of course it could not be expected to look as well 
as usual, but it was ' cluttered up ' with several shabby build- 
ings. The executive mansion built in the same manner was a 
large square fine looking building surrounded by respectable 
grounds which in appearance compared very unfavorably with 
the grounds of private residences in the vicinity. On the whole 
I was disappointed that the people of Georgia have shown no 
more pride in their state buildings. Ohio is immensely ahead." 

Monday, November 28, 1864. — " Marched at daylight 
and soon made the five miles to Rocky Comfort Creek, one 
mile from Louisville. Here the bridge was burned and we 
were delayed till noon before we could cross, then crossing we 
halted two hours, just outside of Louisville. No guards 
were stationed in town. General Baird, who should have at- 
tended to the matter, was busy at the creek, and stragglers 



IJILD SPORT 129 



from the division pillaged the town in a most disgracefnl man- 
ner. The town was partially burned, one house having been 
fired, as I learned, because the woman owning it spat in our 
soldiers' faces and otherwise conducted herself unbecomingly. 
This fire extended to two or three other houses. The climax 
was finally reached by a soldier of the Eighty-seventh Indiana 
who, while the column was passing through the town, fired his 
gun at a crowd of negro women, mortally wounding one and 
wounding another, how badly I could not learn. The woman 
the worst wounded, we passed before she had been removed, 
as we followed the Eighty-seventh in column. Her little child 
of two or three years, stood over her screaming with fright and 
grief. It was a pitiful sight indeed. The soldier who did the 
shooting. I understand, offers as his excuse, that by mistake 
in taking arms from the stack he took another man's gun, a 
loaded one. his own being empty, that he snapped the piece to 
frighten the negroes, supposing it unloaded. I hope for the 
honor of humanity that it is so. At this even, it is awful. I 
am sick, utterly disgusted with the lawlessness I cannot but see 
increasing in our army. At this rate we shall soon merit the 
charges our enemies have so long and so falsely made. Camped 
one mile and a half from Louisville on the Waynesboro road." 
Still on the way " from Atlanta to the sea." The first day 
of December is Captain Cumings' twenty-fourth birthday. He 
writes : 

" Visited Captain Day at Kilpatrick's headquarters this 
evening, and took part in a piece of wild sport in which the 
general and his staif were engaged. A party headed by the 
adjutant-general were fired upon from the house occupied by 
the general as headquarters, by the general and part of his 
staff^ using balls of cotton yarn for missiles ; we returned the 
fire; the enemy made a sally, were repulsed; we charged the 
house with great gallantry, but were received with heavy vol- 



I30 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

leys of shelled corn which drove us back in confusion. Rally- 
ing and sending forward the mustering officer on his hands and 
feet as a skirmisher, a second assault was made. The door was 
closed but quickly forced open; the house was entered; then 
followed a hand to hand fight with the garrison headed by the 
general. Combatants were quickly rolling in a heap on the 
floor, the general behaving with his usual gallantry but, I fear, 
receiving more than his share of knocks. Above all his voice 
rose, 'Turn their right, Hays; kill Day,' etc. At length, I 
record it with regret, the assailants yielded, the garrison held 
the house, but the assailants went off with a yell of defiance, 
game to the last." 

On December the /th, the " War Diary " says : 

" Our foragers brought in little and our men would have 
fared badly but for an issue that was made of one day's rations 
of hard bread, the first, save once a single box, to the regiment 
since leaving Atlanta. Three days' coffee and sugar, too, were 
issued." 

Two days later: 

" Had a nap of two hours which greatly refreshed me this 
morning. Constant marching night and day tells greatly. I 
was well nigh ' played out ' this morning. Went to the river, 
visited a landing, the old fort, Fort Greene, I think. Here were 
only the remains of an old ditch and earth wall. It covers the 
town and landing. I also visited the old Lutheran church, 
one hundred years old, used by the British during the Revolu- 
tionary War as a hospital. It is built in the style of those times, 
and for its associations as well as in itself is an object of great 
interest. The town of Ebenezer is very old, was founded about 
one hundred and thirty years ago, founded by a colony of Ger- 
men Lutherans, Salzburghers, and for a time was quite a 
flourishing colony, but from the infertility of the soil and other 
causes has long since gone to decav. The old church and one 



REDUCED RATIONS 131 

or two old houses are all that is left. It is now the best 
place in which to read (joldsmith's ' Deserted Village ' that I 
have ever seen. Rows of fine old cedars mark the location of 
the streets. Here and there shade trees, shrubs and exotics 
mark the location of the houses. I spent a pleasant half hour 
in wandering over the ground and indulging my fancy. 
Marched about 1 1 a. m. taking a road to the right which after 
a march of six or seven miles brought us back to the main road 
and to camp about dark and three or four miles nearer to 
Savannah. All day and a part of last night the firing of heavy 
guns had been incessant in the direction of Savannah, supposed 
to be from our fleet in the harbor. This evening the enemy is 
reported as holding a position on our road thirteen miles this 
side of Savannah. We suffered a good deal today from hun- 
ger. There is little of subsistence to be had from this country 
and our generals do not see fit to draw much from our supply 
trains. This evening, however, we got up such an ado over 
the matter that an issue of hard bread and bacon was made. I 
found myself very weak and quite ill today from want of food 
and rest, and on account of hard work. Ordered for picket 
duty but relieved at brigade headquarters, greatly to my satis- 
faction. I hope great things from tonight's rest. The weather 
is colder today though not uncomfortable." 

Saturday. December jo, 1864. — " The brigade was camp- 
ed on the railroad where we crossed. Colonel Gleason man- 
aged to find a swamp and thicket to put us in, although it must 
have been a work of great difficulty, since most of the land in 
the \icinit}' of camp was splendid for camping purposes. Fir- 
ing- at Sa\annah heavy today. At writing of this, morning of 
Sunday the 1 ith, the firing at Savannah is very heavy, both 
artillery and musketry, and no doubt a great battle is being 
fought. Was sent on picket tonight, picketed railroad towards 
Sa\annah. Rained all night, of course. 



132 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Sunday, December ii, 1864. — "Was not relieved from 
picket till I o'clock p. m. About noon the enemy's cavalry ran 
into our pickets in various directions. None of them troubled 
us. About I 130 p. m. our division marched. Went into camp, 
after marching three or four miles, on the Savannah road nine 
miles from Savannah. Blakesly came in with a quantity of 
rice and peanuts which he captured on an island in the Savan- 
nah River. He reports quantities of flour concealed in a swamp 
over there which, as there were but two of them on the island 
with one gun, he did not feel prudent to enter. Organized a 
squad of ten men under Sergeant Brown of Company ' F ' to 
visit the opposite shore of the river in the morning for forage." 

^londay, December 12, 1864. — " Brown's party took an 
early start. While afterwards Captain Wilcox with a detach- 
ment went ofif for forage. Turned over all extra animals, in- 
cluding those used by mounted foragers. Heavy firing as usual 
today at the front. Brown and Captain Wilcox both returned 
unsuccessful. Brown failed to get across the river on account 
of impossibility of getting boats. The gunboat up the river 
attempted to come down this morning with two transports but 
was driven back by one of our batteries and one of the trans- 
ports captured. Said to be loaded with commissary supplies. 
Moved camp one-half mile south, our regiment only, to cover 
division headquarters. Various reports of communication with 
our fleet, of whose truth I know nothing." 

Tuesday, December 13, 1864. — " Marched about 7 a. m. ; 
moved a distance of seven miles to the front and right ; went in- 
to position just south of the Central R. R. six miles from 
Savannah. Camped by regiments in echelon faced to rear to 
cover our army. Heavy firing south towards the Ogeechee 
along the line. Issue of full rations, coffee, sugar, bacon and 
hard bread." 



ON A FORAGING EXPEDITION 133 

Wednesday. December 14. 1864. — "Official announce- 
ment from General Sherman of the successful storming of Fort 
Alc.Vllister at 5 o'clock yesterday afternoon by the Second 
Division, Fifteenth Army Corps ; armament and garrison cap- 
tured. This opens full communication with our fleet under 
Admirals Farragut and Porter and with General Foster's army. 
This is glorious news. The reports that our prisoners in 
Savannah have been forced by the enemy to take up arms for 
them or starve, are confirmed by many of our men who have 
deserted after being compelled to join the rebel ranks. This 
conduct of the enemy is infamous, but it will do them no good; 
it is astonishing that obvious considerations of policy should 
not prevent it. They must indeed be ruled by the insanity of 
despair. Had the great satisfaction of a bath and change of 
clothing today. Mail sent out this evening; sent a short letter 
home." 

Thursday, December 15, 1864. — "Mail made up today; 
sent a long letter to mother. Rations in our mess quite ' play- 
ed.' Rode over with Captain Braden to the Savannah River 
to get rice if possible. Spent most of the afternoon trying to 
reach Battery ' C,' First Ohio Artillery, but could not make 
our way through the rice swamps. I once nearly lost my horse 
trying to cross a sluice ; failed finally to reach the battery ; 
learned that Captain Gary has recently been captured by the 
enemy; got about a peck of rice." 

Friday, December 16, 1864. — " Started at about 7 a. m. 
on a foraging expedition, the forage train of our corps under 
escort of our brigade. ]\Iade a rapid march in a round about 
course to the Ogeechee River at the bridge just above the Gulf 
R. R. bridge. We traveled far out of our course to avoid the 
fire of rebel batteries which cannonaded part of the direct road. 
While passing through the Seventeenth Army Corps saw a 
general officer, said to be Major-General Frank P. Blair, Jr. 



134 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

I have never seen General Blair before but he looks worthy of 
his peculiar reputation. Encamped about a mile and a half 
west of the Ogeechee near General Kilpatrick's headquarters. 
Here at the general's headquarters I was furnished with a fine 
supper which, as I had little breakfast, no dinner and a small 
allowance of food for several days, was fully appreciated. At 
the crossing of the Ogeechee there were two dispatch boats, the 
first arrival at this landing, which will be the landing for our 
supplies. Transports will soon be up and this semi-starvation 
will cease. From papers and other sources we received our 
first news from the north for nearly six weeks. A large mail 
came up on these transports. We shall not get ours though 
until we return." 

Saturday, December 17, 1864. — " Marched at 6 a. m., 
moving rapidly all day, marching in a manner that a little 
common sense would teach a man to avoid. The men have 
had little food ; yesterday they finished their scanty rations ; 
some went supperless to bed ; very few had any breakfast and 
yet they were marched twenty-five miles today, rarely halting 
to rest, but marching at a forced rate till near night, when we 
halted at Mcintosh or Station No. 3, Liberty county. I never 
before saw the regiment straggle so badly or heard so much 
swearing. However, a full supper of sweet potatoes and fresh 
meat and a night's sleep set me and us all right." 

Savannah was evacuated December 21st and our troops 
took possession of the city. 

A staff-oflicer of General Sherman sums up the results of 
the campaign as follows : 

" The army marched over three hundred miles in twenty- 
four da3'S directly through the heart of Georgia, and reached 
the sea with subsistence trains almost unbroken. In the entire 
command, five officers and fifty-eight men were killed, thirteen 
officers and two hundred and thirty-two men wounded, and one 



SUMMING UP RESULTS 



135 



officer and two hundred and fifty-eig-ht men missing, making a 
total list of casualties of but nineteen commissioned officers and 
five hundred and forty-eight enlisted men, or five hundred and 
sixty-seven of all ranks. Seventy-seven officers and twelve 
iiundred and sixty-one men of the Confederate army, or thir- 
teen hundred and thirty-eight in all were made prisoners. Ten 
thousand negroes left the plantations of their former masters 
and accompanied the column when it reached Savannah, with- 
out taking note of thousands more who joined the anny, but 
from various causes had to leave it at different points. Over 
twenty thousand bales of cotton were burned, besides the 
twenty-five thousand captured at Savannah. Thirteen thous- 
and head of beef cattle, nine million five hundred thousand 
pounds of corn, and ten million five hundred thousand of fod- 
der, were taken from the country, and issued to the troops and 
animals. The men lived mostly on sheep, hogs, turkeys, geese, 
chickens, sweet potatoes, and rice, gathered by the foragers 
from the plantations along the route of each day's march. 
Sixty thousand men, taking merely of the surplus which fell in 
their way as they marched rapidly on the main roads, subsisted 
for three weeks in the very country where the Union prisoners 
at Andersonville were starved to death or idiocy. Five thous- 
and horses and four thousand mules were impressed for the 
cavalry and trains. Three hundred and twenty miles of rail- 
road were destroyed, and the last remaining links of communi- 
cation between the Confederate armies in Virginia and the 
West effectually severed, by burning every tie, twisting every 
rail wdiile heated red hot over the flaming piles of ties, and lay- 
ing in ruin every depot, engine house, repair shop, water tank 
and turn-table. 

" From the time that the army left Atlanta, until it arrived 
before Savannah, not one word of intelligence was received by 
the government or people except through the Confederate 



136 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

newspapers, of its whereabouts, movements or fate, and it was 
not until Sherman had emerged from the region lying between 
Augusta and Macon, and reached Milton, that the authorities 
and the press of the Confederacy were able to make up their 
minds as to the direction of his march. 

" Marched in four columns, on a front of thirty miles, 
each column masked in all directions by clouds of skirmishers, 
Sherman was enabled to continue till the last to menace so 
many points, each in such force that it was impossible for the 
enemy to decide whether Augusta, Macon, or Savannah, were 
his immediate objective ; the Gulf or the Atlantic his destina- 
tion ; the Flint, the Oconee, the Ogeechee, or the Savannah his 
route ; or what his ulterior design." 

This is what Sherman himself says in his report of the 
army he commanded, of which our Thousand — long since no 
more a thousand — was a part : 

" As to the rank and file, they seem so full of confidence 
in themselves, that I doubt if they want a compliment from me; 
but I must do them the justice to say that, whether called on to 
fight, to march, to wade streams, to make roads, clear out ob- 
structions, build bridges, make ' corduroy,' or tear up railroads, 
they have done it with alacrity and a degree of cheerfulness un- 
surpassed. A little loose in foraging, they ' did some things 
they ought not to have done.' yet, on the wdiole, they have sup- 
plied the wants of the army with as little violence as could be 
expected, and as little loss as I calculated. Some of these for- 
aging parties had encounters with the enemy which would in 
ordinary times rank as respectable battles. 

*' The behavior of our troops in Savannah has been so 
quiet, so perfect, that I take it as the best evidence of discipline 
and true courage. Never was a hostile city, filled with women 



SUMMING UP RESULTS 137 

and children, occupied by a large army with less disorder, or 
more system, order and good government. The same general 
and generous spirit of confidence and good feeling prevades 
the army which it has ever afforded me especial pleasure to re- 
port on former occasions." 



IX. 

FROM SAVANNAH 
NORTHWARD AND HOME. 

A few brief quotations we give without date. They are 
examples of average every day occurrences during this memor- 
able march which followed : 

" No drill today on account of rain. Lieutenant King of 
Battery ' C,' First Ohio Volunteer Artillery, sent over some 
horses for Captain Wilcox and myself and an invitation to 
come over and help eat a load of oysters. Went. Ate oysters 
for six hours, smoking and visiting between spells. Met a 
Lieutenant Nicklin, adjutant artillery brigade. Twentieth Army 
Corps. Returned home and to bed. 

" Had a very lonesome day of it. The rain which was so 
violent yesterday has ceased. Read and wrote. Went up to 
the resen^e and spent the evening playing chess with Captain 
Wilcox by moon and fire light. Was beaten two games out of 
three. Resorted to every possible loafer's shift and finally 
wore away the day till 9 p. m. at which hour I turned in. Slept 
cold all night. 

" Saturday evening last I notified Scoville that until fur- 
ther orders he would be placed on duty each alternate day and 
when off duty would not be allowed to leave camp, in punish- 
ment for repeatedly absenting himself from camp without per- 
mission, for keeping himself constantly drunk and unfit for 
duty when he could be found, and finally for his absence from 
his company when they were on picket for two days, eight miles 
from camp last ^veek. Scoville is a hard boy, badly brought up, 
badly begotten in the first place. He has many good qualities 



I40 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

and might perhaps be made something of, but he seems to be 
entirely a creature of impulse, simply an animal, very little of 
reason or judgment about the fellow. I have been very lenient 
with him, passing over many offenses, punishing others lightly, 
hoping to finally arouse some pride and self-respect in him, 
with poor success, I sometimes fear. I do not know that there 
is any more successful way than punishing him regularly and 
severely for each offense, calculating thus to restrain him as far 
as possible, with no hope of doing the fellow^ any particular 
good. 

" Worked on ordnance returns in the evening. While 
busy with these I was agreeably interrupted by a visit from 
Captain Harry Day. He came over to spend the night with 
me. Sent down for Captain Wilcox and we spent the night till 
midnight in talking and smoking, the universal accompaniment 
of all social meetings in the army. Finally retiring we still 
talked till at length we suspended for a short sleep before day- 
light. I enjoyed this and there are few whose company I en- 
joy more than his. We discussed at full length the peculiar 
notions entertained at Alma Mater and found ourselves very 
nearly agreeing that we did not believe in them at all; that 
they are based on a false idea of life and men; that their re- 
ligion is theoretical, not practical ; that he who accepts it is apt 
to overlook the important part of all excellence, works or fruit, 
and waste his time and abilities over mysticisms and imaginary 
excellences while the great work of human good and happiness 
is untouched. 

" Harry Day left about 9 a. m. I went to town with him; 
learned that Fort Fisher is taken. Butler stock is very low. 
He has no nerve or something else ; at all event it is generally 
believed that Fort Fisher should have been taken by Butler ; and 
the abandonment of the expedition was a source of great morti- 
fication. I think our army would have run over the fort or left 




Captain H. H. Cunnings 



l3^ 



JASPER SPRING 143 

a good many men in its front before we would have hauled off. 
It is now reported that General Ord, upon his appointment to 
the command of the army of the James, returned to the task, 
and that General Terry with two thousand picked men carried 
the work by assault, losing- seven hundred, capturing one thous- 
and seven hundred and eighty prisoners beside wounded, sick, 
etc. This seems hardly probable although the two thousand 
men composing the assaulting party embraced only the main 
charging column, not the supports. Everybody is joyful over 
the news and feels that at least the stain of Butler's fiasco is 
wiped off. Various movements of troops are reported. 

" Halting at a place about two miles from Savannah, near 
the celebrated Jasper spring, I visited it with Captain Wilcox 
and drank of its waters. This was the spot where during the 
Revolutionary War a party of British guarding some Whig 
prisoners whom they were taking into Savannah for execution 
halted to rest. Sergeant Jasper, who afterwards fell at the 
siege of Savannah and who made his name immortal in the de- 
fence of Fort Moultrie in Charleston Harbor, learning of this 
party of prisoners and their guards, witli another bold spirit 
like himself, Newton, determined to release his friends. Fol- 
low^ing up the party till they halted and stacked arms at this 
point, save one sentinel who guarded the prisoners, they stole 
up on them, shot the sentinel and rushing up obtained posses- 
sion of the arms and thus compelled the surrender of the guard. 
As I sat on a stump near the spring and looked at the old trees 
that so long ago spread their branches above these gallant men 
I could almost imagine the scene renewed before my eyes. 
^^'hat a sh.ame that the libert}- and country fought for by these 
brave men should be so ruthlesslv thrown aside by the mis- 
guided people of this country; that the dear old flag they 
fought to sustain, should be insulted, despised, assaulted by 
the very men whose every glorious memory and association. 



144 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

whose prosperity, happiness and future are bound up in it. 
Alas, the basest of all sins is ingratitude and the man whose 
soul is full of it stops at no crime, is moved by no recollections. 
Jasper's spring should be a shrine before whose sacred associa- 
tions, bowing in humility, the traitors to freedom today should 
beseech their Maker to pardon their sins against him and 
against humanity and give them of that lofty disinterestedness, 
that magnanimity of soul, that love of the right and of human 
freedom which has made the name of Sergeant Jasper immor- 
tal. 

" A huge rattlesnake was caught this morning by one of 
Company ' E's ' men. Putting his head out of a hole on their 
ground, two bayonets were at once thrust through his neck. 
He was pulled out and found to be five or six feet long, had 
twelve rattles. I pushed open his mouth and found a pair of 
immense fangs. Anything for an excitement. I presume Bar- 
num rarely entices a larger crowd to see his living and pre- 
served curiosities than flocked to inspect his snakeship. I fear 
that his remains hardly received the treatment that his royal 
character and size demanded. Some one soon pulled off his 
rattles, someone else took his skin, and a third enterprising 
genius extracted a half pint of oil from his fat." 

Wednesday, January 25, 1865. — "About one and one- 
half miles north we took a road to the right and after march- 
ing a mile or two halted and camped near a plantation and lum- 
ber yard, McLeods" Brothers, I think. Here was an abundance 
of sawed timber which made excellent fire wood. At the house 
were three or four men I was told, about the premises, a quant- 
ity of syrup, wine and many articles for household use, also a 
fine sabre, a case of muskets, ammunition and other supplies. 
The roads had been ])ad]y blockaded in the neighborhood; ap- 
pearances were decidedly against the good people thereabouts, 
consequently the men foraged ' liberally.' Fresh meat, sweet 



BURNING PITCH 145 

potatoes, syrup and other dainties were plentiful about camp. 
The old lady of the house near camp was a hot rebel and, as the 
men were filling canteens with syrup and foraging generally, 
she fought them right and left, wishing that she had a revolver 
and in default using her fists, to the great delight of the men 
who skirmished with her, and the lookers on. She cursed them 
roundly and afforded a vast deal of amusement to the soldiers 
without accomplishing what she might easily have done by 
treating the soldiers as becomes a lady. Strange that these 
people cannot realize their helplessness, when an enemy's army 
is camped about them and submit quietly without attempting 
an exhibition of hostility which is contemptible and foolish un- 
der the circumstances and only serves to spur on the soldiers 
to strip them entirely. A small mail today. Letter from 
father who exhorts me against the excessive use of tobacco and 
bad habits in general." 

Thursday, January 26, 1865. — " We are very much an- 
noyed by a sharp cutting wind and by the smoke of burning 
pitch pine along a portion of today's march ; the woods were on 
fire, the thick black smoke was suffocating. Camp is almost 
unendurable from the same cause. As soon as fires are builded 
the air is thick with the black pitchy soot or lamp black. A 
person's face and hands soon become coated until he is almost 
as black as the negroes who follow the column. Soap will 
hardly remove it for it works through the pores of the skin. It 
must be very wholesome for consumptively disposed persons. 
I do not enjoy it at all ; my lips are badly chapped, my eyes 
nearly smoked blind, and I am dirty all the time." 

Friday, January 27, 1865. — *' Received orders to be ready 
to move at 9 a. m. unless further orders were received. Re- 
ceived no further orders and were in readiness to move at the 
hour but did not move ; spent the time tediously waiting. The 
wind blew strongly, the air was thick with the black pitch 

10 



146 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

smoke filling the eyes, turning the skin almost instantly to the 
color of coal burners, so that it would have puzzled a person 
to have told the original complexion of any one of us. Once 
in an hour or so some one of the officers would take it into his 
head to stir up his neighbors by peltmg them with pine cones 
and a battle would ensue which would draw in all the officers 
in the regiment; no one would be allowed to sleep or take any 
comfort." About 12 130 the welcome order was given and with 
red and weeping eyes and with smutty faces we were soon on 
the march. In a few minutes we passed through the little 
county town of Springfield, the county seat of Effingham 
county, a little village that may have contained one hundred or 
two hundred inhabitants, but in which I noticed but one family 
now. Several of the houses have been burned, some pulled 
down by the soldiers for material for quarters and for fuel. 
The fences were mostly taken for the same purpose. Troops 
were camped all about. I noticed the headquarters of General 
Davis and Brevet Brigadier-General Buell commanding pon- 
tonieres. The family which I noticed were said to be Union 
in sentiment. One member, a young lady, who was pointed 
out to me, lost a brother early in the war who was hung by the 
rebels just here in front of his house because of his loyalty to 
the United States government. I noticed that the property of 
the family was well protected, guards being stationed over 
everything." 

Tuesdav, February 7, 1865.—" Marched at 6 o'clock this 
morning just as dav began to break. It rained all last night 
and wa^s raining this morning. W'e marched for three miles 
through the worst swamp I ever saw, mud ^-ar^'ing from two 
to six inches deep, with holes or mires, where a man would 
settle until he got out. Through this terrible mud and the 
rain we trudged on till dry ground blessed our sight at last. 
We then halted an hour or two, swallowed hot coft'ee, smoked 



THROUGH SOUTH CAROLINA 147 

our pipes and jogged along- reflecting upon the beauties of 
campaigning in swamps during a winter's storm in this coun- 
try. Passed through what had been the village of Robertsville, 
but which was now only a few acres of ruins. I judged from 
these that the village was rather flourishing until the advent 
of the Yankees. Took the Brighton road. Passed the ruins 
of wdiat, judging from grounds, must have been two splendid 
residences, both burned and the grounds mutilated ; reached 
Brighton, entirely burned save one small storehouse used by 
one of our quartermasters, which accounts for its still standing. 
It will be apt to take fire upon being deserted by the quarter- 
master. Camped just beyond Brighton." 

Wednesday, February 8, 1865. — " I saw only one house 
standing" on today's march, besides churches and negro quar- 
ters, and that was occupied by a poor widow and family. A 
spirit of relentless vengeance seems to possess the men. Never 
before have I seen such a spirit in this army. It is the result of 
a conviction that South Carolina is pre-eminently the author 
of the war of the rebellion, that it contains nothing but relent- 
less enemies and that it deserves summary punishment. The 
tone of recent South Carolina newspapers has inflamed this 
feeling by defiant editorials, assertions of a determination to 
submit to nothing but independence or extermination. At 
every burning house that I passed I heard shouts from the men 
of ' extermination or independence.' The invaders will hear 
the crack of the guerillas' rifle in every swamp and from behind 
ever\' co\-ert. * South Carolina means to fight,' and so the 
dreadful devastation goes on. I can appreciate the feelings of 
the army. If any State is to be made an example, South 
Carolina is that State, I think, yet I am sorry to see such work. 
If the effects of such vengeance could be confined to the guilty 
I should care less, luit how much needless, useless suffering will 
result. I am not satisfied either with the policy of this busi- 



148 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

ness. I fear that instead of subduing, it will render desper- 
ate the misguided men who are fighting us. If I were satisfied 
that true military policy demanded it, I would not permit my- 
self a regret. At the plantation of a Mr. J. G. Lawton I res- 
cued from the flames a copy of Sidney Smith's works which I 
shall carry along and read. I greatly like such of his essays 
and writings as I have read. For some days I have devoted 
my leisure time to Carlyle's ' Sartor Resartus,' ' Past and Pres- 
ent ' and others of his works. I find myself working into the 
spirit and peculiar style of Carlyle and my interest in his writ- 
ings increasing. While halted at Lawton's plantation, the 
band played several pieces and as usual the negroes, great and 
small, flocked out and engaged in a dance, greatly to the diver- 
sion of the crowTl. One little negro of perhaps twelve years 
of age danced very finely, better than most of the professionals 
that I have seen, better because so natural and spontaneous. 
The organ or * bump ' of music must nearly cover the negro's 
cranium, if phrenology is a science." 

Thursday, February 9, 1865. — " Marched early, made a 
long march, camping near a Captain Peebles' plantation be- 
tween Irvinton and Barnwell about eighteen miles from Barn- 
well. The same destruction of property as usual. I under- 
stand the houses about Irvinton were burned before the column 
was past. If so I know of but two houses left standing so far 
since we entered South Carolina, and I have no evidence that 
they still stand. Tht men today found large quantities of hens 
along the line of march. Almost every man had three or four 
davs' supplv slung on his bayonet. The day and nig'ht are 
suited to Ohio at this season of the year." 

Friday, February 10, 1865. — " I saw while passing along 
the street a handsome young lady, with blue eyes, straight light 
brown hair and fair complexion, standing- between two negro 
girls an arm around each. Surprised I stopped and inquired if 



WONDER AND PERPLEXITY OF NEGROES 149 

she was a iiiulallo cind a slave. She tukl nie she was. Kxaniin- 
inj;- closely 1 could not detect a single indication of negro blood. 
To satisfy myself I went around to the negro quarters and saw 
her mother, a light mulatto woman hut plainly showing negro 
blood. I insisted that this white girl was not her daughter but 
she stoutly asserted that she was. I suggested that she might 
have l)een placed in her arms to raise as her daughter for con- 
venience but this was denied. The mother told me that her 
mother was a mulatto and her father a white man of the Bow- 
man family (she is from Beaufort Island) and her daughter 
is the offspring of one of the Barnwells. I could hardly l)e- 
lie\e that the boasting and boasted 'chivalry' would hold in 
slavery such a fine looking woman as this. 1 was told that the 
girl's father had often tried to buy her but could not; a re- 
deeming feature, at least." 

Wednesday, February 15, 1865. — '* The negroes regard 
us with wonder and perplexity, unable to conclude wdiether w'e 
are friends or not. Some of them suffer much at the hands of 
our stragglers. Their masters have told them all sort of tales 
about us, as for example, that we w'ould kill all of their children 
and that we would use them as beasts of burden, harnessing 
them to our wagons and killing them upon the smallest pretext. 
Still the most of them manifest such delight as only an African 
can at sight of our troops. In Barnwell and at other places 
negroes have often told me of their assisting our prisoners both 
while escaping and while in prison. One old negro told me of 
their women cooking up from their scanty supplies large 
quantities of ' pone ' for parties of our prisoners near Branch- 
ville. The negroes, in spite of all the ridiculous, hobgoblin 
stories that thev have been told have still an abiding faith that 
we are their friends and that ' Massa Abe Lincum ' is somehow^ 
to do great things for them." 



I50 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Thursday, February i6, 1865. — " Was detailed for picket, 
sent off with my regimental detail to the right, on a road run- 
ning south from camp. I was very tired and worn. After 
posting my sentinels laid down and rested. I felt as though 
I never wished to move from the spot, as though it would be 
the greatest happiness to lie down and rest forever." 

Fridav. February 17, 1865. — " The country we passed 
over was all on fire, the wind blew violently, the troops that 
preceded us had fired the fences in many places and the fire 
had s]M-ead over the entire country. Most of the fields here are 
' deadenings,' the trees having been girdled and left standing. 
The flying sparks catch in these readily, and in turn they send 
off showers of sparks for hundreds of yards. The scene was 
often very brilliant. Went to bed very much used up." 

Tuesday. February 21, 1865. — " A good deal of ill feeling 
in the corps today on account of the conduct of the officers and 
men of the Twentieth Corps who, reaching Winnsboro just 
in advance of our corps arrested all our foragers whom they 
found and took from them their forage. Several men of the 
Twentieth Corps are reported to have been shot by our men, 
while engaged in this discreditaljle lousiness." 

Thursday, February 27^, 1865. — " \\'as detailed for for- 
aging today ; struck out several miles to the left, beyond the 
cavalry ; found plenty of beans and cornmeal. Found, for a 
variety, one family claiming to be loyal to the Union. Perhaps 
they were. They certainly talked so and being poor as ' Job's 
turkey ' I saw no inducement for them to conceal any opinion 
they might have or feign false ones. They were intelligent for 
ignorant uneducated people ; reached camp after a march of 
twenty-five or thirty miles. \\q are near Rocky Mount, about 
due east of wliere we camped last night. The Twentieth 
Army Corps preceded us yesterday. General Slocum favors 
his old cori)s with the center an<l consequently the inside track, 



COLLECTING FORAGE 151 

a great advantage in long marches and especially so when one 
happens to be on the wheeling tlank. So far we have been per- 
forming an immense right wheel. The army resting along the 
coast from Savannah to Pocotaligo, we at Savannah, and so 
we ]ia\e swung around in this state compelling our corps to 
describe an immense circle. We are now faced nearlv east I 
think towards Wilmington, N. C, which is nearl\- due east 
of us." 

Friday. February 24, 1865. — " Very rainy, no orders to 
march, lying quiet in camp and keeping as dry as is possible; 
waiting for troops and teams to cross the Catawba River in ad- 
vance of us. Forage detail sent across the ri\er." 

Saturday, February 25, 1865. — " No signs of moving to- 
day, still rainy. Captain Braden returns from the forage de- 
tail sent off yesterday and reports uit forage to be had across 
the ri\-er. The colonel sent out a detail niounted upon all the 
horses to be found in the regiment. I was sent out in charge; 
went twelve or fifteen miles from camp in a northwest direc- 
tion. Expected to find rebels but succeeded in loading up with 
forage and returning unmolested. Stopping back with three 
or four men. hea\'ily loaded and with jaded animals I sent the 
rest of the detail in more rapidly. As it was getting late and 
raining violently, about three miles from camp, concluded to 
halt and rest our l)easts and take supper. Rising from the table 
I went across the yard to another house a moment. \Vhile 
there, hearing a commotion I stepped out. ft)und three men at 
the door of the house that the rest of our men were in ; there 
were other men in the yard about me. All so far as I could 
make out in rebel uniform. Demanding of those about me who 
they were I could get no reply, concluding, in fact being satis- 
fied that they were rebels and not knowing their force I ci in- 
cluded to slip back and reconnoiter. Before I had made out 
anvthino- to u\\ satisfaction or found out what could be done 



152 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

the whole party with my men started off. Following in I found 
that the party claimed to be escaped prisoners (Union soldiers) 
and several negroes, that they were making- their way to our 
lines in rebel clothing when they ran on our men and fearing 
they were rebel scouts acted so strangely as they did." 

Tuesday, February 28 ,1865. — " Had a bad night of it 
last night. The weather rainy as it has been for several days, 
the mud very deep, varying from three inches to almost any 
conceivable depth. The distance from camp to the river was a 
mile. About midnight we began our march, slowly we made 
our way, floundering along in the deep mud, the rain and the 
darkness, over ditches and gullies, in which every moment some 
unlucky wretch was rolling till he was pulled out by some 
friendly hand, staggering over each other and struggling for- 
ward, at length the mile that intervened between our start- 
ing point and the river was accomplished, the bridge was 
crossed, we climbed \\\) a steep clayey hill upon whose sides the 
mud was as deep apparently as in the well trodden roads, in 
either case the depth to which a person sank depended upon his 
weight and the time he allowed himself to remain in one spot. 
Finally we reached the top, just at daybreak, six hours of dark- 
ness, of rain and mud and a mile and a half marched, drenched 
with rain, completely plastered with mud and extremely ex- 
hausted, I sank down upon a heap of ashes, where had been a 
camp fire, the only place free from standing water and inches 
of mud that I could discover, and here during our halt I ob- 
tained an hour's sleep. The cold rain, the mud beneath me, the 
shouts of two brigades packed around me in a small space, the 
braying of ])ack mules, the creaking of the artillery parked 
near, none of these disturbed me but the ' fall in ' blown by our 
bugler as the brigade was preparing to move suddenly aroused 
me by that sort of habit or instinct I suppose which I have 
heard telegraph operators mention who sleeping bv their in- 



PREI'ARING FOR A FORCED MARC/ 1 153 

striiments would he:!r un sound until they were called, however 
faintly, when they would instantly awaken. Mo\-ini;- a half 
mile to a toleraljly dry spot we prepared coffee and a late break- 
fast. I wa.s sent off in charo-e of Companies ' E.' ' H ' and 'I\,' 
for fatii^'ue duty in 1)uildin<^' cordiu'ov roads aud helping for- 
\\ard trains. Thus T was engaged until near night when I was 
relieved aud rejoined the regiment, which moved forward two 
miles to camp. I was much vexed today with Couipanv ' IT,' 
a comi)any which has ne\er been properly disciplined, whose 
easy-minded officers ha\e always allowed themselves to be 
directed b}' the compau}' till now thev are nearh' worthless. 
It was with the greatest difficult}- that one-half of the company 
could be kept at work. Order received this evening from Gen- 
eral Davis that all mules or pack animals in excess of one per 
company for the use of the officers, be turned over to the quar- 
termaster and directing us to prepare for a forced march. As 
I am talking to ui}- journal, I may here remark that this order, 
in my opinion, is very foolish. The men are recjuired to carry 
their knapsacks and such blankets and clothing as this incle- 
ment season and sitch long absence from communications and 
opportunities for recrttiting supplies require. They are obliged 
to subsist from the country and to carry such cooking utensils 
as are needed for preparing food, obtained in this shape, also 
to carr^' supplies of food iii the very bulky shape it is found, 
not onlv for present use but also for days when forage is scarce. 
In addition to all this the men must march from five to fifteen 
miles farther than the column, when the}- are detailed as for- 
agers, collect the forage and bring it in on their backs with all 
their usual load, enough to supply the wants of the company. 
An officer who will im])ose such labor as this upon men un- 
necessarilv. when the men are worn out with long marches and 
Iru'e still long and forced marches to make, is unfit for his posi- 
tion, in ni}- private judgment." 



154 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

Thursday, ]^*Iarch 2, 1865. — " I visited this morning the 
battlefield of Sumter near Hanging Rock. Here was won by 
Sumter in the Revolution one of his victories. I called on a 
familv living on the field ; they pointed out to me the ground 
occupied by the comljatants, according to tradition, but such 
was their ignorance that I could learn nothing more. One of 
the members of the family explained to me that the thing hap- 
pened before thev were born. Asking a middle-aged woman 
who were the generals that fought, she ' didn't rightly remem- 
ber ; pears though Gineral Jackson fit on our side.' " 

Saturday, March 4, 1865. — " Yesterday and today a large 
force of the enemy's cavalry has been hanging on our flanks, 
picking up foragers ; five men of our regiment did not get in 
last night and were thought to have been captured but they got 
in tonight. They were out ten miles from the column, called at 
houses and passed themselves ofif as rebel scouts, learned that a 
large force of the enemy was about, took to the woods and after 
a variety of adventures got in safely. The amiy is getting 
badly worn out, dissatisfaction and insubordination is grow- 
ing to an alarming extent. General Sherman and his subor- 
dinates must take pains to lighten some of the burdens of the 
men or I fear the army will be greatly injured. The feeling is 
growing that the welfare of the men is recklessly and needless- 
ly disregarded." 

Sunday. Alarch 5, 1865. — " Marched about 7 or 8 a. m. 
Soon after noon reached the river near the line between North 
and South Carolina. The pontoons are l^eing laid. Rested 
here this afternoon and changed clothing. I am quite worn 
out ; the march from the Catawba River has been very severe, 
the hardest experience, I sometime think, of my service, though 
1 sufl'ered more on the retreat from Lexington, Ivy., in early 
September, 1862. The right wing has taken Cheraw with 
large amounts of cott(Mi, two thousand stand of small arms, a 



"GO IT. YJ XKS ! R I 'X ! R UN ! " 155 

(juantil}' I if aninmnitiiMi and ciiL^iitecn pieces of artil1cr\- run <nit 
from ("liarlcstdn, anmnL;' tlieni tlic j^nn which shot away the 
flagstati' in the honibardmcnt <»f Sumter at the Ijcs^'innint;" of tlie 
war." 

Thurschiv, l\rarc]i g, 1863. — " Marched e.arh' in a (h'iz- 
/ding- rain; the roads usually £^'ood today: no halt for dinner. 
.Vbout 3 o'clock we were compeded to halt by a hurnin_<^" mass 
of rosin near a turpenrine factory or still which some of our 
foragers had fired. A terrible fire was produced, the rosin 
melting and fiowing down to the stream near which the factory 
was located. It coxered the water and floated down stream, 
burning fiercely all the time, ddie bridge was torn uj) to pre- 
vent its burning but the sleepers were burned. .\ large detail 
worked for some time with little success in quenching this 
burning stream. Finally it was done, the bridge rebuilt and 
we i)ushe(l on. Marched until near midnight and camped 
seventeen miles from Fayetteville." 

Friday, March 10, 1865. — " Marched at 6 a. m. ; got on 
well until we reached the twelfth nfile post from Fayetteville, 
where we suddenly halted and camped. Heavy firing was 
heard to the rear and left in Kilpatrick's neighborhood. For- 
agers report that while proceeding towards Fayetteville, when 
between the sixth and seventh mileposts they ran into a rebel 
cami). How strong the rebel force was does not appear as the 
usual experience was that of Ouartermatser Sergeant Cheney 
of our regiment \\\\o with a few others concluded that Fayette- 
ville was evacuated and were galloping forward to capture the 
town, when going up a hill a rebel volley brought them stand- 
ing and sent them to the rear faster, if possible than they came. 
Cheney says that just at that time a woman ran out of the 
house and shouted, * (io it, \'anks ! Run ! Run ! ' The news 
from Kilpatrick is that one brigade of his force with which he 
had his headquarters was surprised at daylight by Hampton. 



156 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

Kilpatrick himself was obliged to betake himself to the swamp 
in his shirtsleeves ; his command was driven from their beds to 
the swamp, but at length they rallied, drove off the enemy, 
and recaptured their camp and horses. Kilpatrick's loss in 
prisoners was se\ere, besides twenty-five rebel prisoners re- 
leased." 

Monday, March 20, 1865. — " Today is the second anni- 
versary of the Battle of Milton — two years quickly past, but 
how full of events ! Received orders soon after reveille to be 
ready to march as soon as possible. Marched soon after 6 
o'clock, leaving train and moving rapidly until we reached the 
neighborhood of yesterday's fighting — the Battle of Benton- 
ville. \\'e found that the enemy had concentrated with the in- 
tention of here dealing our forces an overwhelming blow be- 
fore they could unite with the rest of the army. Our first divi- 
sion, Carlin's, in advance was outtianked and compelled to fall 
back in confusion some distance. The Nineteenth Indiana Bat- 
tery Ijecoming mired, three pieces were taken by the enemy, 
and T.ieutenant Webb commanding was mortally wounded. 
Our other division coming up, the line was reformed. The 
enemv then charged repeatedly but were in ever}- instance re- 
pulsed. At no time did they succeed in driving any portion of 
this line. Finally night ended the conflict. Upon reaching the 
field we halted two or three hours, then we were sent forward 
to press the rebel line and ascertain if they were still in force. 
This we did, advancing to the line held b}' the first division 
vesterdav, when it was broken, and we ascertained to our full 
satisfaction that the enemy was still in force in our front. At 
dark we returned and camped one-fourth of a mile in rear of 
our line on the Smithfield road." 

The enemy did not wait for another battle but, as Captain 
Cumings expresses it, " leaked out." 



NEJJ'S OF GEN. LEE'S SURRENDER 157 

Thursday, April 6. 1865. — " News at length received from 
Grant that Petersburg and Richmond are taken. The an- 
nouncement produces great excitement. We are waiting for 
details but have no doubt of the fact that on the morning of the 
third our troops occupied Richmond." 

Fridav. .Vpril 7, 1865. — "Further details of Grant's vic- 
tory received today, twenty-five thousand prisoners are claimed, 
the enemy's loss is put at 15,000, total hors-de-combat of the 
enemy forty thousand. The results of this victory can hardly 
be estimated. Taking it moderately the question of Southern 
independence is ended. The onh- question remaining is how 
long can the rebels hold out should they be desperate enough to 
attempt fighting ' until the last ditch,' to use their favorite ex- 
pression. A few days, enabling us to learn the full details and 
results of Grant's operations will also enable us to form some 
conjecture as to the task yet remaining to us." 

Saturday, April 8. 1865.—" News from Grant still con- 
firmatory. Matters quiet in camp, great rejoicing over the fall 
of Richmond." 

A\'ednesday, April 12, 1865.—" ^larched about 7 a. m. At 
about 6 a. m. learned that Lee had surrendered, and just before 
pulling out we received an order from General Sherman noti- 
fying us that Lee had surrendered his entire army to Grant at 
Appomatox Court House, Virginia, the 9th instant. Of course 
the soldiers ^^ ere \vM with enthusiasm. The Confederacy is 
going fast. I am confident that it soon will live only in history 
as an example of how mad, how foolish men can be, how 
strange, how inconsistent. Camped at Clayton between Smith- 
field and Raleigh. Early in the evening, camp was aroused by 
the whistle of a locomotive from the direction of Raleigh. It 
soon appeared with a single passenger car, bearing sundry 
dignitaries under a flag of truce from Raleigh to General Sher- 
man whose headquarters tonight are here. I was told that one 



158 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

of the party was Governor Vance. I saw them all at General 
Sherman's headquarters and witnessed a part of the interview. 
I did not hear the general's words but his manner had all the 
earnestness of a father reproving a scape grace of a son." 

Thursday. April 13. 1865. — " Marched at 5 130 a. m. Or- 
ders received from General Sherman directing officers and men 
to respect the city of Raleigh, the civil authorities of state and 
city and the citizens, provided that no acts of hostility were ex- 
perienced between this place and that. We entered the city 
without opposition, were reviewed as we passed in front of the 
Capitol by General Davis and marched out to our camp near 
the Insane Asylum. Order was received from General J. C. 
Davis containing a portion of Grant's and Lee's official cor- 
respondence, also referring to the fact that four years ago this 
day he, General Davis, then a lieutenant in Fort Sumter, saw 
the first gun fired upon the fort and from his section fired the 
first gun in support of the government and the flag." 

Tuesday, April t8, 1865. — " The shocking report reached 
us today by an order from General Sherman of the assassina- 
tion of President Lincoln and attempted assassination of Secre- 
tar}' Seward and his son, Frederick Seward. The latter is mor- 
tally wounded, the former it is thought will survive. Mr. 
Seward was stabbed by the assassin in his own house where he 
was confined by injuries received a few days since by being 
thrown from his horse. The President was shot through the 
head while sitting in his private seat in Ford's theatre in Wash- 
ington, April 9th. Never have I been so shocked, horrified be- 
fore. I am familiar, alas ! too familiar with scenes of blood 
and violence, l)ut in everything that is abhorrent and heart- 
sickening this last deed of these perjured traitors against the 
kindest and best government in existence infinitely exceeds all 
else. It is a fitting climax and one that will forever stamp this 
rebellion in the eyes of the world and through coming ages as 



HEAR OF LINCOLN'S ASSASSINATION 159 

the most nnjnstilial)le, unscrnpiiloiis and basely wicked as well 
as one of the most gigantic crimes against humanity recorded 
in history. I cannot express my sorrow at the death of Presi- 
dent Lincoln. His patience, his integrity, his magnanimity, 
won my heart, while his great abilities had excited my highest 
admiration. I feel his loss as that of a father. The world will 
not forget him while 1)ooks are read and virtue, patriotism and 
greatness appreciated. Washington! Lincoln! side by side 
they will go down in history. If one founded the republic, the 
other rescued it from the hands of its mortal enemies. If the 
one is the father of his country, the other is the presei"\'er and 
regenerator. If the one consecrated his life, his fortune and 
his sacred honor to the establishing of our nationality, the 
other with no less devotion gave the best energies of his life, 
every thought and aspiration of his soul to its preservation 
from its treacherous, ungrateful children, and sealed his sacri- 
fice with liis life. General Sherman well says, ' Woe to the men 
who would thus carry on a war in which they have been beaten 
in fair conflict and hopelessly broken.' If the rebels wish thus 
to wage war, sorrowfully we must accept it, even in this detest- 
able, dishonorable phase and as we traverse the South we will 
leave desolation behind us. I would not in such an event have 
the word ' mercy ' in our vocabulary. When these wa-etches 
are caught, let them die the death, let their country be purified 
by fire from the taint of their presence! " 

Thursday, April zy. 1865. — " No more news and we are 
waiting tediously to learn ' what is u]).' There is a report that 
Johnston has surrendered; that the armies of the Tennessee 
and Georgia are to turn over all ammunition, load with sup- 
plies and march to Washington via Richmond." 

Friday, April 28, 1865. — "Were awakened about 2:30 
this morning by heavy firing in the direction of the first divi- 
sion ; got the men out ; stood to arms till near daylight when we 



i6o HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

started towards the firing. After proceeding about two miles 
learned that orders announcing substantially what was rumored 
yesterday were received about midnight by the First Division 
and read to the troops at once, when they turned into celebrat- 
ing, firing off in the spree pretty much all their ammunition. 
We received the same order and returning marched back 
towards Raleigh and camped after a march of ten miles. John- 
ston's surrender seems to have been so far as we can learn, 
substantially the same as Lee's." 

Monday, May i, 1865. — "At Wilton we were surprised 
by quite a Union demonstration. The stars and stripes were 
floating from a flag stafT and quite a crowd of citizens were 
collected. We halted fifteen minutes, the bands played several 
pieces and there was quite a reunion. The people of the vicin- 
ity are said to be very loyal. At this place it is claimed a Union 
flag' floated longer than at any other place in North Carolina. 
The leader of the community was a venerable looking old 
man, a colonel in the Mexican war. a man of great wealth 
and respectability, who has obstinately fought treason and 
secession in every manner that he could. His was the flag that 
floated so long at the opening of the war and finally was torn 
down by traitors and the stafT from which it floated destroyed. 
He vowed that he would neither shave nor cut his hair until 
the restoration of the g-overnment of our fathers. His appear- 
ance now, with his long flowing" white hair and beard is very 
patriarchal. The universal expression of all here as elsewhere 
where I have met the people of this state, whatever may have 
been their previous policy, is a return to the Union. We owe 
JefTerson Davis a debt of gratitude that he has made the pill 
of secession so nauseous to its chief original patrons. The 
Northern papers seem to be raising a hue and cry over General 
Sherman's agreement with Johnston which was so summarily 
rejected at Washington. It does not seem to have entered their 



LAST RECORD IN DIARY i6i 

noddles at all that at that juncture, time, providing- the rebel 
army could be kept (juiet, would work for us a surer victory 
than bullets and without bloodshed. It does not seem to have 
occurred to these sajjient critics that General Sherman must 
have known very well that these terms would not be accepted 
at Washington, that the negotiations would result in nothing 
but a delay of Johnston and an opportunity for his men to learn 
the state of affairs, reflect and ponder, with but one possible 
conclusion viz. — the hopelessness of further fighting. These 
critics do not consider that the agreement was contrary to all 
General Sherman's previous ideas and theories." 

The last record in the " War Diary '' was made Saturday, 
May 6, 1865. 

'' Marched at 5 a. m. on the Amelia Court House road. 
Soon struck the road over which Lee and Grant moved in their 
operations. The road is badly cut up by the trains ; dead horses 
and mules are abundant and their smell almost stifling. We 
crossed the Appomatox at Goode's bridge, pressed forward for 
about six miles and camped. The day has been very warm, the 
march long and rapid ; many cases of sunstroke, several fatal. 
I was very much exhausted upon reaching camp." 

At the end we find the following note: 

TiDiouTE, Pa., April 11. 1892. 

" I finished at this date copying the above with a type- 
writer. To complete the army history I will add that on the 
day following the last date above we closed up to the south side 
of the James River. Manchester, opposite to Richmond, Va. ; 
that after a brief halt, perhaps a day or two, we passed over the 
river, through the city of Richmond and on towards Washing- 
ton which was reached in due time, our regiment remaining on 
the Potomac side until the Grand Review, after which we are 



T I 



1 62 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

camped on the Washington side, near the cemetery, until we 
completed muster-out rolls, etc., when we were sent home to 
Cleveland, Ohio, where the regiment was paid off and dis- 
charged. H. H. CUMINGS.'' 

Captain Cumings, in his lecture, says : " Uniting with 
Schofield and Terry's forces at Goldsboro. we moved again to- 
wards the enemy April lo, 1865. encountering them the same 
day at Smithfield. where we skirmished briskly and where I 
heard the last hostile bullet fly over my head." 

The Captain, speaking of the Battle of Jonesboro, says: 
" There I received the only scratch I got in the war, a slight 
bruise on the cheek. The cheek was not hurt much. I don't 
know how the bullet fared." 

The " War Diary " is supplemented at the close of the G. 
A. R. paper as follows : " I will not dwell upon the march 
through Virginia to Washington — the Grand Review where 
our regiment received the unusual compliment of a bouquet 
thrown at our colors by General Sherman from the reviewing 
stand — the journey home by rail, halting at Altoona. Pa., 
nearly famished, and yet the people would neither sell or give 
us any food because it was Sunday — arriving at Pittsburgh at 
10 o'clock at night and being marched to Old City Hall and 
filled with an excellent supper and splendid coffee, not forget- 
ting cigars by the ladies of Pittsburgh. God bless them forever 
for it ! — then on to Cleveland, marching up Superior street. 
the band playing ' The Girl I Left Behind Me." and she was 
there, dear creature, waiting for us and so were mother and 
father and sister and lirother. and how they surrounded us and 
hugged us and kissed and wept oxer us and we o\'er them as 
we struggled along the street — my heart swells and my eyes 
moisten now as I think of it — and so we marched to the camp 
we had left almost three vears before. Xearlv eleven hundred 



SUPPLIMENTARY TO DIARY 163 

stroiii^- we marched out; less than two hunch-ed and fiftv strons^ 
we returned A day or two of the details of paying off and 
mustering out and our soldiering was over. 

" This sketch, already too long has opened to me the flood 
gates of recollection. I see again the old familiar faces, I hear 
again the well known tunes. The whole panorama passes be- 
fore my mind and fills it with mingled emotions of sorrow and 
pleasure. 

" I thank God that it was my privilege to be a soldier of 
the Republic." 



X. 

BUSINESS LIFE. 

Soon after the muster-out, Captain Cuniings came to the 
oil regions of Pennsylvania and a year later settled in Tidioute, 
Warren County, where he made his home during the remainder 
of his life. Here he became interested in many important busi- 
ness enterprises. He was a member of the firm of Day & Com- 
pany from 1865 to 1873, engaged in producing, refining, ship- 
ping and exporting oil. In 1873 he formed a partnership with 
Jahu Hunter of Tidioute and they were associated as lumber- 
men, oil producers, and in pipe lines, natural gas, banking and 
various manufacturing enterprises. They were also interested 
in wheat lands in North Dakota, the Missouri Lumber and 
Mining Company, and other lines of business in different parts 
of the country. He has met with reverses and suffered losses 
as one might expect where so many forms of industry are in- 
volved, but his general success has been quite pronounced. 

Mr. Cumings was wise in his choice of associates. In his 
" Biographical " in the memoir of Mr. Hunter, he says much 
which is equally true of himself. We quote a passage: "Jahu 
Hunter was a man of unusual ability and strong individuality. 
He was not a brilliant, but a strong man intellectually. He 
thought slowly, but carefully and comprehensively. His mental 
survey took in a wide field and his conclusions, when reached, 
were well thought out and rarely mistaken. Convictions once 
formed were held to with tenacity and the clearness and posi- 
tiveness of opinions thus formed, united with an unusual 
strength of will, gave to his character great firmness and sta- 
bility. True and honest himself in all his impulses, he naturally 
credited others with the same qualities. He loved to think of 



i66 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

others as good and honest, and this trait sometimes worked to 
his disadvantage. His ideals of manhood were high, and he 
sought to live up to them. ^Vhen he gave his confidence and 
friendship he gave them unreservedly, but his confidence once 
forfeited was not easily regained. He w-as strong in his at- 
tachments and strong in his dislikes ; he could not do too much 
for a friend, and he was equally strong in his aversion to those 
whom he believed unworthy of trust and confidence. His 
heart was as tender as a w'oman's for all suffering, and his af- 
fection was deep and strong. He was strong in his loyalty, 
loyal to the right as he saw it, loyal to the town, loyal to his 
country, loyal to his friends, loyal to his family. He was 
broad-minded and liberal in all things and tolerant of honest 
differences of opinion. Simple in taste, unpretentious and mod- 
est in manner and feeling, loving his fellowmen, and seeking 
out rather the good that was in them, helpful to the distressed, 
seeking always to increase the sum of human happiness and 
morality and to promote the general well-being, his death 
leaves a void that cannot well be filled and a sorrow too deep 
for expression." 

These friends, as would have been expected, were mutually 
helpful. Each w^as built into the character of the other, and did 
much to mould and strengthen and enlarge and fashion and 
perfect that character, each maintaining however his own per- 
sonal traits and characteristics. This is the paradox of friend- 
ship and generally, though in a lesser degree, of human so- 
ciety. 

Captain Cumings was deeply interested in his chosen 
place of residence, and always took a foremost part in every 
public enterprise. At various times he served as Councilman 
and Burgess. He was for thirty-four years of his life a 
member of the Board of School Directors, and most of the time 
its president. He had the cause of education close at heart and 





Captain H. H. Cumings 
Business Man 



HIS MANY INTERESTS 169 

unremittingly gave both time and money to the work. He 
was deeply interested in the erection of the Hunter Memorial 
School Building, and to him more than to any other, save the 
great and generous donor, is due this model magnificent struc- 
ture so well arranged and equipped. 

He was president of the Tidioute Savings Bank and a 
director of the Warren Trust Company. His touch was felt 
and is still felt in all the interests of Tidioute. As president of 
the Board of Directors of the cemetery he labored to beautify 
the grounds of the " God's Acre " which now tenderly and lov- 
ingly guards his remains. He was a charter member of Colonel 
Cobham Post of the Grand Army of the Republic, and made 
it possible for the Post to acquire the fine property which it 
now owns. He was also a member of the Loyal Legion, Com- 
mandery of Pennsylvania, a Knight Templar, and was honor- 
ably connected with several other fraternal organizations. 
Every call for sympathy moved his heart. Every call for char- 
ity or help opened his purse. He was never so busy that he 
could not listen to the story of the unfortunate and bless him 
with a substantial token of his Christian generosity. His 
benevolence was not confined to any one interest, society or 
church. All had a goodly part. But he sounded no trumpet 
before him. He sought not to have his good deeds seen of 
men, or applauded by the public. We recall an instance of lib- 
erality to a good cause, when he characteristically charged us, 
" See that thou tell no man." 

Captain Cumings had an unusual capacity for work and 
was of tireless energy. He kept his mind well in balance and 
his powers well in hand, and thereby could quickly and easily 
turn from one subject to another. He was seldom taken off his 
guard, or surprised into confusion of thought, or brought to 
the end of his expedients, or lost in unexpected emergencies. 



lyo HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

He was greatly interested in the work of the Grand Army 
of the RepubHc, and always felt himself at home in its meet- 
ings. His presence did much to enliven the services. His 
comradeship w^as cheerful, encouraging, instructive and inspir- 
ing. He served on the staff of the State officers, and in the 
Northwestern Association of the Department of Pennsylvania. 
He served on the committee or Board of Directors for the 
Scotland School for Soldiers' Orphans, and also for the Sol- 
diers' Home at Erie. In 1895 he was unanimously chosen De- 
partment Commander of the Department of Pennsylvania. 
The following letter written in connection with his candidacy 
for this office will be read with special interest : 

Mayville, N. Y., November 14, 1894. 

"James F. Morrison, Esq. : 

"My Dear Sir: 

" I am most happy to note that the G. A. R. comrades of 
Western Pennsylvania are urging the selection of Captain 
Henry H. Cumings of Tidioute, as Department Commander. 
A better choice could not be made. I served with Comrade 
Cumings in the One Hundred and Fifth Ohio and personally 
know that then as since he represented that best element of our 
American life — the great class of workers and fighters to whom 
duty is more than fame. As a soldier he did not accomplish 
any remarkable things. Not many of us did. He simply 
stepped out of College at Oberlin into the army : was given a 
lieutenant's commission and rose to a captaincy. There was 
little opportunity for him to distinguish himself above others, 
and he had no influence to make opportunity for him. Never 
once did he fail to do all that occasion required. As an officer 
he was noted, in a regiment where consideration for the en- 
listed man was the rule, for his kindness and care for those un- 
der his command. As a disciplinarian he was firm but reason- 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES. 171 

able in all re(|uireinents asking- only what he cheerfully gave 
himself. In action he was cool and calm as in the performance 
of every other duty. If he made an enemy, I never heard of it, 
and if I should. 1 would wager big odds that the other fellow 
was in fault. 

" \\ ith his always attracti\e i)ersonality, I have no doubt 
he might have secured ])r()motion, if he had been willing to 
' lobby " for it or seek it through individual favor ; but then as 
ever since, he has seemed to regard the performance of the 
duties which come in his way, as of more importance than 
seeking for personal advancement. In short what he is as a 
citizen that he was as a soldier — one of the best any state can 
boast measured not by rank or station, but by manhood, faith- 
fulness, and capal)ility to do right whatever task is assigned 
him. 

" The comrades of Pennsylvania will honor the very 
highest type of the citizen-soldier and the soldier-citizen, 
should they choose Henry H. Cumings as their Department 
Commander. The position has been graced by men of higher 
rank, but never once by one of greater worth. 

" Sincerely yours, 

Albion W. Tourgee.'' 

^Iv. Cumings was always happy in his addresses to old 
soldiers, and had many calls on Memorial and other occasions. 
He was well read in our military history, and could draw les- 
sons from his own experience. It would be interesting if we 
could have some of these addresses in permanent form, but they 
are left to us in a very fragmentary condition, as he depended 
very much upon the occasion for inspiration. We present pas- 
sages from three memorial addresses and one from a speech 
at a regular Post meeting as fairly representative of his style. 

" We are now about to decorate with flowers and honor 
with fitting ceremonies, the graves of comrades who are buried 



172 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

here, who served with us in defense of our country during its 
terrible trial. We meet for no empty show or useless parade, 
but to testify from full and over-flowing hearts that the re- 
membrance of their sacrifices has not grown dim with the pass- 
mg years. 

Standing by their resting places, with bowed heads we can 
recall the unselfish devotion of the men who fell that liberty 
might live, and that the government, bequeathed as a heritage 
by our patriot fathers, might not perish from the earth. 

We are not here to glory in the victories of the past, nor 
stir the hot blood by the recital of our comrades' valor. We 
have buried the animosities and hate engendered by the war, 
and we desire rather to forget all save the good in the past, 
whilst we renew our inflexible purpose to maintain the govern- 
ment saved by the devotion of our comrades. Here is the 
fitting place to call to mind the men, who with us stood guard 
over the nation ; to think of the charge some comrade died in 
repelling; some terrible leaden shower that smote him by our 
side ; some prison pen, where dying he still prayed for God's 
fair land ; and to show that the love of Union and liberty was 
not laid aside when the battle flags were furled and the sword 
laid by to rust. 

As, then, we scatter earth's fairest emblems, life's fitting 
s3''mbol, upon these graves, the world shall know that the hum- 
blest of our slain comrades has a crown of remembrance 
brighter and more enduring than the diadem of kings. 



Today is the festival of the dead. We unite to honor the 
memory of our brave and our beloved, to enrich and ennoble 
our lives by recalling a public heroism and a private worth that 
are immortal, and to encourage by our solemn sei*\'ice a more 
zealous and stalwart patriotism. Festival of the dead! Yes, 
strangely many eyes are clouded with tears, though many 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 173 

hearts are heaxy with ^ricf. thoui^'h man_\- Hves are still deso- 
late because the father or brother, the husband or lover did not 
come back, though every grave which a tender reverence or 
love adorns with flowers is a shrine of sorrow^ whose influence 
is still potent through its first keen poignancy has been dulled, 
in spite of all, today is a festival, a festival of our dead, no less 
a festival because it is full of solemnity. 

And now in this silent camping' ground of our dead, with 
soldierly tenderness and lo\e, we garland these passionless 
mounds, let us recall those who made their l)reasts a barricade 
between our country and its foes. Let us recall their toils, 
their sufferings, their heroism, their supreme fidelity in camp, 
in prison pen, on the battlefield and in the hospital, that the 
flag under which they fought, and from the shadow of w'hose 
folds they were promoted, may never be dishonored ; that the 
country for whose union and supremacy they surrendered 
their lives may have the fervent and enthusiastic devotion of 
every citizen : that, as we stand before every grave as before an 
altar, we may pledge our manhood that, so help us God, the 
memor\- of our dead shall encc^urage and strengthen in us all 
a more loyal patriotism. 

On this Memorial Day \\e look l^ack over an inter^•al of 
thirt}- }-ears, to the epoch whose achievements this anniversary 
of the Grand Army is designed to celebrate. 

A generation has almost passed away since it ended. The 
great majority of those who marched with us, fought with us, 
triumphed with us. have already crossed over and answered 
to roll-call on the other side — in the silent realm whose echoes 
come not to our ears. 

1die names of our leaders fall today on unfamiliar ears. 
I'he battles which we fought belong to history now. Only to 
us who remain are thev still actualities. When we recount 
what we saw and did and suffered, what we endure<l. attempted 



174 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

and achieved, we see in the face of those who Hsten, wonder, 
but rarely comprehension. Time has blotted out the field- 
marks of strife. We trace with difficulty the roads along which 
we toiled. A few fields are marked with monuments ; but 
bronze and marble are poor substitutes for living men. The 
roar of battle still echoes in our ears and wakes us from peace- 
ful dreams. We hear the clash of arms, the word of command, 
the shout of victory, the moans of the wounded, the volley 
with which we bade the dead farewell. But others do not hear 
them : we know they are but dreams — the dreams of those who 
facing- to the rear, see the long shadows which the sunset 
throws upon our past. 

The motives and impulses which inspired us then — they 
are dreams, too — the dreams of youth and early manhood 
which crystallize into deeds. Is today our debter for worthy 
achievements or were our dreams mere vain delusions? Was 
self the spring or motive? Was ambition, hate or greed the 
animating impulse of those who died or wounded lingered on 
only for a time, or strengthened and matured, laid down their 
arms, when there was no further need for them and took part 
in other conflicts — the struggles on which prosperity and prog- 
ress depend ? 

But for the valor and fortitude of those who fought, the 
wisdom and sagacity of those who led and the blessing of Him 
whose eye watches over the destinies of nations, what had been 
the outcome of the great struggle ? What would be the condi- 
tion of the world today if those we fought had triumphed ; if 
the Southern Confederacy had won the place it sought in the 
family of nations or even if they had succeeded in forcing a 
compromise l)y which the Federal L^nion had continued a slave- 
repul)lic and the ])light of injuries, ignorance and oppression 
had continued to l^last the impulses of enterprise and the 
achievements of free-thought? How much of the marvelous 



MEMORIAL ADDRESSES 175 

story of the past thirty years would ha\'e heen unw ritten if tlie 
terms of peace had l)een (hctated not hy the simple-minded 
soldier, splashed with the stains of swift ])ursnit at Appomat- 
tox, but by his opponent? 

Let us turn back the leaves that intervene, slowly and 
carefully, oh, comrades of a thousand battlefields ! let us read 
the myriad marvels thereon enrolled and as day by day our 
comrades sink into the g"ra\'e, let us ask the busy rushing- pres- 
ent, which has come so often to sneer at our motive and ignore 
our achievement, wdiich of these marvels could have been 
wrought had we not triumphed? Today is ever inclined to 
forget the debt that is due to yesterday, but few todays have 
owed such boundless obligation to their yesterdays, no yester- 
day so lavish of good will, so abounding in unselfish endeavor 
or so glorious in grand achievement ! 

Never before was strife so little stained with hate : never 
before so great a war in which lust of concjuest and greed of 
gain and glory played so slight a part. Never before did mil- 
lions of free men offer their lives for the liberty of an en- 
slaved and despised race. Never before could an army so truly 
sing as it marched toward the field of strife: 

" As He died to make men holy, let us die to make men 
free ! " 

Never before did so great a war end without proscrip- 
tion, banishment or punishment of any leader. Never did such 
marvelous prosperity so quickly follow after strife. Never 
did a conquered enemy so soon and so vauntingly exult in a 
lost cause. Never were the traces of war so soon effaced by 
the generous rivalries of peace. 

The struggle is o\'er. Those who felt its hot breath are 
passing swiftly away: but its lessons like its blessings are for 
all time. Among them is the fact that he who fights for the 
rights of others has no room for malice toward his foes. An- 



176 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

other, which the thirty succeeding years have abundantly 
proved, that nothing brings prosperity so swiftly and surely, 
as the gift of liberty, equal right and equal opportunity to all. 
Founded on the declaration of Independence, the Federal 
Union had by strange inclination become a slave republic. 
Slavery sought to undermine its broad foundation. We ex- 
cavated for a new one — and planted a new nation on equal 
rights and equal citizenship for all. We consecrated with our 
blood a new temple of liberty, and then gave our enemy and 
our strength to its upbuilding and adornment. What the Re- 
public is and is to be. what humanity and the world have 
gained by the overthrow of slavery and the unrestricted asser- 
tion of equal rights, that is the measure of the debt the future 
owes to us — a debt not to be paid with silver and gold, an 
obligation which the lapse of ages cannot weaken or corrode. 
As the ranks of the Grand Army lessen in number the 
blessing they conferred upon the Nation and humanity will 
grow brighter and brighter until " the new birth of liberty " 
is perfected " in malice toward none and charity for all." 

ADDRESS AT A POST MEETING. 

The Grand Army of the Republic is nearing the end of its 
career and it seems to be time to turn our attention to how we 
shall fittingly close the books and make up the final account. 

\\'e all wish that we were not growing old but we must 
admit tlie serious truth that our years are numbered, that the 
end approaclies. 1'he death roll is increasing each year in 
larger ratios and growing infirmities are curtailing our activi- 
ties. Our Post meetings show it — our gatherings call our at- 
tention to it. Alany, no doul)t, whose hearts are with us here 
tonight are not here l^ecause of their bodil}- infirmities. In 
our smaller Posts it is becoming a work of self-denial and dilfi- 
culty on the part of the comrades to secure a sui^cient attend- 



G. A. R. POST ADDRESS 177 

ance at meetings to maintain the organization in a semi-pros- 
perous condition. The cosy house, the warm tire, the com- 
fortable easy chair are so attractive to the old fellows that it 
is easy to find excuses for staying there instead of facing the 
inclement wintry air to attend upon Post meetings. 

The regular order of business in most Posts now does not 
afford much entertainment. The muster-in of new members 
has practically ceased, with its attractive ritual and ceremonies; 
there are few new topics to give interest and zest to our meet- 
ings and limited attendance still further w^eakens interest. It 
is really a serious cjuestion how we can maintain our organiza- 
tion as a living, active force in our communities and in the 
nation. We cannot afford to let the Grand Army organiza- 
tion go down. We owe too much to it — the liberal recognition 
from the General Government in the matter of pensions, not 
yet all that it should be, but very much greater than it would 
have been but for the united demands of our comrades en- 
forced upon the politicians by a wholesome dread of our united 
power at the polls — the safe guarding of the truth in our 
school histories and the other published records of the facts 
relating to the origin and conduct of the war and the recon- 
struction of the states. The people of the North are a prac- 
tical people — they are more concerned in looking forward 
than backward, in accomplishing new^ things than in telling 
the story of old. To some extent in this w^e differ from our 
Southern brethren \\ ho run more to sentiment, wdio glory more 
in feats of arms, in pride of blood, in the achievements of their 
ancestors than we of the XOrth. To them their failure was a 
very grievous disappointment, hurtful to their pride, wdiich it 
is natural that they seek to soften by claims of prowess not 
justified by facts and to weaken the inevitable condemnation 
hereafter of their causeless rebellion by perversion of the 
truth. 



12 



178 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

In the beginning of the war they flattered themselves that 
one Southerner in battle was a match for several Yankees and 
they cannot content themselves by accepting the cold truth of 
the conflict. So we have had to watch our school histories and 
correct in them and other publications misstatements and mis- 
representations. In this the Grand Army of the Republic has 
done much in preser\'ing the truths of history. It has done 
more than this — it has kept alive and burning brightly the fires 
of patriotism, it has kept as a living force the traditions of our 
go\'ernment, the spirit of our institutions, the impulses of per- 
sonal freedom, the rights, the advancement, the dignity of man 
as man. and this, perhaps, is the most important of all. 
" /// /(7/T.s' the land to hastening ills a prey, 
JJliere ivealth aeennnilates and men decay." 

We as a nation are liable to experience the truth of this. 
We cannot aiTord to ignore the dangers of increasing wealth, 
the growth of luxury and waste, the tendency to the formation 
of classes, the enervation of youth, the closing of opportunities 
to the poor, the changing of industrial conditions from that of 
the small proprietor working by the side of his journeymen to 
that of the captains of industry with their thousands of em- 
ployees, the combinations of employers with the counter com- 
bination of employees — all these are but the natural 'and in- 
evitable developments of growth and progress and rightly di- 
rected will bring strength and welfare to our land and people. 
But in solving the new questions that are rising we need an 
enlightened citizenship of purest patriotism and the Grand 
Army must not die until it has done its fullest work in creating 
this enlightened citizenship. 

So it is an important question how we can best maintain 
the vig(^r and efficiency of our organization in the face of our 
rapidly increasing death loss and the inertia of old age. I can- 
not instruct you. I may suggest the cultivation of the feeling 



THE FAMILY HOME 179 

\\ithin our ranks of llic gTowiiig' \aluc and need to tlie country 
of the educational influence of the (irand Army that our com- 
rades mav feel the importance (jf maintaining- the strength and 
acti\it\- of our organization and pushing" along its work of 
patriotism, that we make the Post meetings attractive by social 
features, bv frecjuent interchange of fraternal visits where 
possible, by papers and discussions upon topics specially inter- 
esting to us as conu-ades. i^"^ach Post is a volume of most in- 
teresting history within itself. The personal experiences of 
its members, wisely selected from, would make a history of 
the greatest interest and value. In this day of societies of 
Colonial descendants, of Sons and Daughters of the Revolu- 
tion and so on we can understand how much interest and value 
will be attached to our written experiences by our descendants. 
Tf the Posts would take up this idea — the comrades writing 
out the interesting events in their experiences and reading 
them at Post meetings it would be an attractive feature of the 
meetings and put in permanent form much that will add to the 
wealth of history and be of priceless value to our children's 
children. 

I will not further consume your time. I have sought to 
direct your thoughts to the importance to the people and the 
nation of preserving to the latest hour that we can the vitality 
of our organization and of studying and practicing the means 
bv which this can best be done. 

Mr. Cumings had a very pleasant and well-appointed 
home in which the famil}- affections found the mother the cen- 
ter. Love is the attractive power which binds all together in 
the niost holy of all human relations. The position of woman, 
the sacredness of marriage relation, and the purity of the home 
life, measure in all lands, not only the breadth and depth of 
healthful intellectual culture and the condition of civilization 



i8o HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

and religious development, but also the stability of govern- 
ment and the sovereignty of law. 

Says Robert Hall : " Domestic society is the seminary of 
social affections, the cradle of sensibility, where the first ele- 
ments are acquired of that tenderness and humanity which 
cement society together; and were they entirely extinguished 
the whole fabric of social institutions would be dissolved. 
Families are so many centers of attraction, which preserve 
mankind from being scattered and dissipated by the repulsive 
power of selfishness." 

The library contains a very large number of books of 
which many are standard works of literature. It is rich in his- 
torical works, especially those which the great Civil War has 
called into existence. Many also there are which treat of gov- 
ernmental affairs, and some are of scientific value while the 
poets and essayists have an honoraljle place. Mr. Cumings 
held to his student instincts and habits and was happy w^ien 
he could retire to his library and commune with his book- 
friends which surrounded him or conduct his business and so- 
cial correspondence under their inspiration. 

In this beautiful home there was mutual appreciation be- 
tween parents and children, each proud, as they well might be, 
in the others. 



XI. 
STATE SENATOR. 

Captain Cumings had a deei), al)idiiig and active interest 
in the political affairs of his countr}- and made a careful study 
of its g-enius, growth and needs. He recognized the changing 
conditions of the times and their demands. He reached his 
conclusions after patient and conscientious investigation. 
When a person has all the facts before him and gives to each 
its true weight and value and reaches his conclusions, there is 
no reason for reviewing the (juestions which he has once set- 
tled except upon the discovery of new facts. Mr. Cumings had 
reached well-settled and lirmly fixed opinions. He consistently 
stood by them and defended them. His early training and edu- 
cation, his observation and experience, his reason and his con- 
science made him a Republican after the strictest sect. He be- 
lieved in the principles and policy of the party. His opinions 
did not change on the fundamentals. He was consistent with 
himself. He could be depended upon when principles were 
brought to the front. He could be depended upon absolutely. 
He would never betray what he considered the true interests 
of the public. The public to him was the people, all the people 
of all classes. The country to him meant especially the people 
of the ountry. Governments and constitutions and wealth are 
nothing aside from living men and women and children. 

His friends recognized his (|ualifications for public office 
and approached him upon the subject. He yielded to their 
wishes and became a candidate for the Senate of Pennsylvania. 
His address to the people and his public discussions w^re mod- 
est, dignified and manlv. He was elected, and again re-elected 
almost without o])position. He served as State Senator in the 



1 82 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

sessions of the Legislature held in 1899, 1901, 1903 and 1905. 
He voted with his party on all party questions, and that not 
l)Iin(llv Init intelligently. On minor or local questions he was 
independent, sometimes standing almost alone. He once said 
in the Senate : " I cannot allow any other Senator to discharge 
my responsibility for me." He kept in touch \\'\i\\ his constitu- 
ents and knew their wishes ; he kept in touch with legislators 
and knew their plans; he studied national affairs and congres- 
sional legislation and possible or probable schemes ; he studied 
the trend of movements at home and abroad — in a word, he 
was well equipped and knew w'hat he was about. 

Mr. Cumings sought to understand in all its bearings 
every measure brought before the Senate, and the questions 
which he asked were for the purpose of eliciting information. 
His remarks were characterized b}^ brevity and clearness of 
statement. He opposed hasty legislation. He judged that all 
legislative acts and resolution should be so prepared as to be 
easily understood. Mere verbiage would rather obscure the 
meaning". He did not hold with a certain French philosopher 
that language is the medium for the concealment of the truth. 
Time for deliberation he pleaded for more than once. 

Wdien a bill was introduced, he asked three questions : 
" Is this measure necessary? Is it adequate? Is its meaning 
clearly expressed?" He was opposed to extravagance in the 
use of the people's money. He studied economy, but this did 
not lead him to parsimony. A state with the wealth of Penn- 
sylvania, so he thought and properly, too, cannot afford to be 
stingy. Proper dignity demands something. 

He was especially interested in education, charities, and 
the full recognition of the debt we owe to the soldiers of the 
Civil War. and introduced and forwarded several important 
measures in these interests, it would be interesting, if we 
could know how he voted on the various matters brought be- 



STATE SENATOR ^^3 

fore the Senate durin-- his terms of service, but neither time re- 
quired for the lon.U' and lal)ori.)Us investig-ation necessary for 
the determination of this question nor the Hmits set to these 
chapters will permit. We may rest assured that it would cause 
no friend to blush. His record was a good one. 

Senator Cumings named Hon. ^I. S. Quay for United 
States Senator in 1899 and gave him his vote. In 1903 he 
voted for Hon. Boies Penrose. His work as State Senator 
may be shown in part by the bills which he introduced, the com- 
mittees on which he served, and the discussions in which he 
took part. The " Legislative Record " gives this information, 
and we owe its compilation to Herman P. Midler, the Senate 
Librarian, who has with his usual courtesy furnished the fob 
lowing- statement : 

Bills introduced by Senator Cumings, session of 1899: 
An act making an appropriation to the trustees of the 
State Listitution for Feeble-Minded Children of Western 
Pennsylvania. 

A supplement to an act providing for the incorporation 
and government of cities of the third class, approved May 23, 
1889, and providing- for the assessment and collection of spe- 
cial taxes upon properties abutting for street sprinkling and 
street cleaning. 

An act to authorize the construction and completion of 
State Capitol Building. 

An act to reduce the expenses of collecting State and 
count^• taxes in the County of Venango, to incorporate the 
Greenville and Ohio State Line Plank Road Company and to 
authorize the appointment of an auctioneer in the County of 
Lawrence, appn^ved the third day of April, A. D. 185 i, as re- 
lates to the collecti..n of State and county taxes in the said 
Countv of Venango, together with the first three sections of 



1 84 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

the supplement to said act, approved the eleventh day of May, 
A. D. 187 1, and the further supplement to the said first men- 
tioned act approved the 27th day of February, A. D. 1873. 

Bills introduced by Senator Cumings, session of 1901 : 

An act to commemorate the heroism, sacrifices and pa- 
triotism of the Pennsylvania troops in the Union Army of the 
late rebellion, who died in Andersonville prison, Georgia, 
while confined there as prisoners of war, by the erection of a 
suitable monument in the National cemetery at that place, 
creating- a commission for such purpose and appropriating" the 
necessary money therefor. 

An act to declare the species of fish which are game fish 
and the species of fish which are commercially valuable for 
food, and to regulate the catching and encouraging the propa- 
gation of the same ; to define the public waters within the 
State ; to protect the waters within the State from improper 
and wasteful fishing ; to provide for the appointment of fish 
commissioners and fish wardens, and to declare their official 
jx)wers and duties ; to encourage and regulate the artificial 
propagation of game and food fish by said State fish commis- 
sioners ; to regulate the distribution of the same in the waters 
of the Commonwealth ; to provide penalties and punishment 
for the violations of the provisions of this act. 

An act endowing the trustees of hospitals and asylums, 
under the control of the Commonwealth, with corporate 
powers. 

An act authorizing the several criminal courts of quarter 
sessions of this Commonwealth to grant licenses to sell intox- 
icating liquor at retail, wholesale or by brewers for a longer 
or shorter period than one year in certain cases. 

An act to amend an act authorizing- the county commis- 
sioners of the se\'eral counties of this Commonwealth to erect 
or complete and maintain a suitable monument at the county 




Captain H. H. Cumings 
State Senator 



BILLS IXTROnUCED 187 

seat of each cmmty in nicnmrx- of tlie soldiers and sailors of 
the late war, so as to authorize said county commissioners un- 
der the same regulations to pay the debts already contracted 
for and about the erection and maintenance of such monu- 
ment and for the work done and material furnished therefor. 

An act exempting from taxation the lands, buildings and 
funds (^f free, public, non-sectarian libraries in boroughs and 
townships yielding revenues only partially sufficient for the 
maintenance of the same. 

An act to provide for the erection or purchase of armories 
for the National Guard of Pennsylvania. 

An act to proN'ide for the care of persons of aggravated 
intemperate habits. 

An act providing the means for the enforcement by cities 
of this Commonwealth of their ordinances. 

An act making an appropriation to the trustees of the 
State Institution for Feeble-]\Iinded of Western Pennsylvania. 

An act making an appropriation to the Pennsylvania 
Home of the A\'omen's Relief Corps at Brookville. 

An act making an appropriation to the Oil City Hospital. 

An act relative to the police regulation in the several cities 
of this Commonwealth and providing penalties and imprison- 
ments for violation of city ordinances. 

An act authorizing the policemen of the several boroughs 
of this Commonwealth to perform the duties of high constable 
and reg'ulating compensation for their services. 

An act providing for the service of notice tn build or re- 
pair sidewalks in the several boroughs of this Commonwealth. 

An act authorizing cities and boroughs to provide a supply 
of water for the use of the jniblic either by the erection and op- 
eration of water works or by contracts with persons or corpor- 
ations authorized t(^ supply water within the limits of said cities 
and boroug-hs or bv l)oth methods. 



i88 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

An act to repeal an act entitled " x^n act amending the 
first section of an act entitled ' An act providing for the annual 
assignment to the sinking fund of the Commonwealth of cer- 
tain sums of money realized out of the general revenue, ap- 
proved the 25th day of March, A. D. 1891,' approved the 29th 
day of May, A. D. 1891." 

An act to repeal section one of an act entitled " An act 
providing for the annual assignment to the sinking fund of the 
Commonwealth of certain sums of money realized out of the 
general revenue," approved the 24th day of March, A. D. 
1891. 

An act making recitals in deeds and other muniments of 
title evidence of certain facts in action involving the title to 
land or where the title to land is drawn in question. 

An act to amend an act entitled " An act to provide for the 
centralization of township schools and providing high schools 
for townships," approved April 25, 1901. 

An act to provide for the regulation of channels of creeks 
and the remo\-al therefrom of obstructions and to prevent the 
overflow of lands by water. 

Bills introduced by Senator Cumings, session of 1903 : 

An act to amend an act, entitled '* An act to provide for the 
organization, discipline and regulation of the National Guard 
of Pennsylvania," approved the 28th day of April, A. D. 1899, 
by pro\'iding for the organization of a regiment of cavalry, the 
establishment of regimental bands and of a hospital corps. 

An act making an appropriation to the trustees of the 
State Flospital for the Insane at Warren, Pennsylvania. 

An act making an appropriation to the Warren Emer- 
gency Hospital of W'arren, Pennsylvania. 

An act to amend sections 3 and 8 of an act, entitled " An 
act relating to replevin and regulating the practice in cases 
where the writ of replevin is issued," approved the 19th day 



BILLS INTRODUCED 189 

of April, A. D. 1901, providing for the intervening of a party- 
defendant, the extension of time for giving bail, and the re- 
vision of the action of the prothonotary in taking bail in vaca- 
tion time. 

An act to provide for the completion of the records of 
soldiers who enlisted from Pennsylvania in the war for the 
suppression of the rebellion and making an appropriation for 
said purpose. 

An act in relation to patenting lands lying within or along 
navigable rivers. 

An act to provide for the erection, furnishing and equip- 
ment of a new school house on the Cornplanter Indian lands. 

An act to provide that certain army nurses shall be eligible 
to receive State aid or pensions, to provide for proof of eligibil- 
ity and to provide for the amount of such pension and time of 
payment of the same. 

An act authorizing the Secretary of Agriculture to offer 
premiums for the assistance of county agricultural fair associa- 
tions in this Commonwealth, making appropriation for their 
payment, and prescribing the conditions upon which the asso- 
ciations are to be assisted. 

An act authorizing the county commissioners of the sev- 
eral counties of Pennsylvania to accept, take and thereafter 
maintain as a county bridge and public bridge used for public 
travel, built or maintained by any borough or township or 
both, or any two townships within such county over rivers, 
creeks or rivulets when tendered to the county commissioners 
for any such county by the proper authorities of such borough 
or township free and without charge therefor. 

An act to provide for the appointment of deputy game 
protectors for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and de- 
fining their duties. 



I90 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

An act to provide transportation to Americiis. Georgia 
(Anclersonville Confederate Prison), at the time of the dedica- 
tion of the Pennsylvania Alemorial in the National Cemetery 
at .Vndersonville, Ga., for all the surviving Pennsylvania sol- 
diers who have been confined in the Confederate Prison at An- 
dersonville, at any time during the War of the Rebellion and 
were honorably discharged and making an appropriation there- 
for. 

An act authorizing the courts of common pleas of this 
Commonwealth to decree the dissolution of certain corpora- 
tions in certain cases and to order the sale of their real estate 
and make distribution of the proceeds thereof. 

An act to amend the third section of an act, entitled " An 
act for the better protection of game and game mammals, game 
birds, song and insectiverous birds, limiting the number of 
game birds and game mammals to be killed by any one person 
in one day or in one season, prohibiting the sale of the same 
and the shipment thereof out of the State, and providing pen- 
alties for the violation thereof." approved the 4th day of June, 
1897, which title was amended by an act approved the 6th day 
of May, A. D. 1899, to read as follows: " An act to provide 
for the protection and preservation of game quadrupeds and 
game birds and song and insectiverous birds, and prescribing 
penalties for the violation of its several provisions. 

An act to repeal the ninth section of an act, entitled " An 
act to declare the species of fish which are game fish and the 
species of fish which are commercially valuable for foods and 
to regulate the catching and encouraging the propagation of the 
same ; to define the public waters within the State ; to protect 
the waters within the State from improper and wasteful fish- 
ing : to provide for the appointment of fish commissioners and 
fish wardens, and to declare their official powers and duties; 
to encourage and regulate the artificial propagation of food 



BILLS LXTRODUCED 191 

fisli by State fish coniinissioners, to regulate tlie distribution 
of the same in the waters of the Commonwealth ; to provide 
penalties and punishments for the violation of the provisions 
of this act." approved the 29th day of May, 1901. 

An act to permit the owners of game preserves in this 
Commonwealth and non-resident hunters who have complied 
with the laws of this Commonwealth relative to securing li- 
censes before hunting therein, to carry certain game out of this 
Commonwealth. 

An act to amend the 21st section of an act, entitled " An 
act to provide f()r the more effectual protection of the public 
health in the several municipalities of this Commonwealth," 
approved the i8th day of June, A. D. 1895, limiting the time in 
which actions may be brought for the recovery of fines or pen- 
alties under said act. 

An act to amend an act, entitled " An act to carry out the 
provisions of section 12. article 3. of the Constitution in rela- 
tion to the public printing and binding and the supply of paper 
therefor. 

Bills introduced by Senator Cumings, session of 1905 : 

An act validating ordinances and other transactions of 
boroughs in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania \vherein 
there has occurred a misnomer, omission, infonnality or irreg- 
ularity in the corporate name, style and title of such borough. 

An act making an appropriation for the payment of the 
expense incident to the dedication of the memorial erected in 
the Xational Cemetery at Andersonville, Georgia, by the Penn- 
sylvania Commission under the i)rovisions of an act of the 
General Assembly, approved July 18, 1901, and making an 
appropriation to provide transportation to Americus, Georgia, 
of all survi\'ing honorably discharged Pennsylvania soldiers 
who were at any time during the war for the suppression of the 
rebellion confined in the Confederate prison at Andersonville, 
Georgia. 



192 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

An act making an appropriation to the trustees of the 
State Hospital for the Insane at Warren, Pennsylvania. 

An act relating to solvency, termination of trusts or as- 
signments for the benefit of creditors. 

An act to provide for the appointment of a State Clerk 
in the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, defining 
his duties and fixing his salary. 

An act to regulate the publication, binding and distribu- 
tion of the public documents of this Commonwealth. 

Committees of Senate on which Senator Henry H. Cum- 
ings served : 

Session of 1899 — 

Appropriations, Centennial Affairs, Forestry, Insurance, 
Chairman Judicial Apportionment, Military Affairs, Municipal 
Affairs, New Counties and County Seats. 

Session of 190 1 — 

Agriculture, Appropriations, Corporations, Chairman 
Education, Forestry, Game and Fisheries, Military Affairs, 
Municipal Affairs, Railroads and Street Passenger Railways. 

Session of 1903 — 

Agriculture, Appropriations, Railroads, Corporations, 
Chairman Education, Elections, Forestry, Game and Fisheries, 
Military Affairs, Public Roads and Highways. 

Session of 1905 — 

Agriculture, Appropriations, Corporations, Education, 
Finance, Forestry, Game and Fisheries, Judiciary General, 
Chairman Military Affairs, Public Grounds and Buildings, 
Public Printing. Public Health and Sanitation, Public Roads 
and Highways, Railroads. 

The Senate ordered thirty-two committees at this session, 
and of these Senator Cumings served on fourteen, a most dis- 
tinsfuished record. 




13 



REMARKS ON SENA TOR OSBOURN 1 95 

^^'e have followed the name of Cai)tain Cumin^s through 
the " Legislative Record '" during the whole ])eriod of his ser- 
\ice. There is much which we admire. We confine ourselves 
to two or three brief passages from his not numerous addresses 
and discussions. The memorial service of Senator Francis A. 
Osbourn was held January 30, 190T. The committee, of which 
Mr. Cumings was a member, offered approi)riate resolutions, 
and ]Mr. Cumings said in part : 

" JNIy attention was drawn to him early in my service in 
the Senate by his constant attendance upon its sessions, his 
clearness of insight, his soundness of judgment. He impressed 
me as a careful, painstaking, conscientious legislator. I soon 
found that he was one to whom a new and inexperienced Sen- 
ator could go. always sure of considerate and courteous atten- 
tion, of kind suggestion and helpful information. I personally 
owe him a debt of gratitude for kind assistance often and 
graciously given. 

" While still scarcely beyond the years of childhood, at the 
age of sixteen, Francis A. Osbourn offered his all to the de- 
fense of our National life — the sacrifice he oft'ered was in part 
accepted and the empty sleeve he wore forever after bore elo- 
quent testimony to his devotion. 

" Having then given so much few men could feel that 
more was due. Not so with Francis A. Osbourn. He had 
pledged his life to save the Nation's life, and so long as he 
lived and the country was imperilled he felt that the pledge re- 
mained. Recovered from his terrible wound, with so much 
as was left of his maimed body, he was again at the front do- 
ing what he could until, with peace and a restored I'nion, he 
was able to lav down his arms with the consciousness of his 
obligation fully discharged. 

" Fearlessness and absolute devotion to duty as he saw it 
was the kevnote of his life and work in his bovhood, and so it 



196 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

was in his later years.. Death came at last as the result. I be- 
lieve, of his presence here in this chamber, coming from a sick 
bed to perform what he felt was due to his friends, his party 
and his State. 

" I did not always agree in opinion with Senator Osbourn, 
but I never doubted his sound judgment, his sincerity of pur- 
pose, his obedience to his convictions of the right. 

" His work is done. We shall see his face no more, but 
the good that he has done will live after him. He has given 
to this Commonwealth and to the Nation the example of a 
courteous, brave and lofty manhood, something that is better 
for our national life and the welfare and perpetuity of our in- 
stitutions than hoards of gold or fleets and armies, or foreign 
possessions." 

January 21, 1903, Air. Roberts asked for immediate ac- 
tion upon a certain bill, when Air. Cumings moved for its 
recommitment, saying: "This Ijill has been introduced in 
the Senate, has been referred, along with many others, to the 
special committee ; they ha\'e been reported out in large num- 
bers ; we have had only the one committee and the members of 
the Senate have had no opportunity whatever to study its pro- 
visions or vote intelligently on it. I propose to ask and insist 
upon having- the opportunity of knowing what the provisions 
of this bill are before I am compelled aye or no." 

Mr. (irady answered that Air. Roberts would not bring in 
a dishonest bill and that an agreement had been made by the 
Senate to vote at this time. Courtesy to Air. Roberts demand- 
ed its passage. Air. Cumings said : " I will not yield to the 
Senator from Philadelphia in courtesy to Air. Roberts or any 
other Senator. It is not a question of courtesies at all. If it 
were, I would pursue the course which courtesy demands. It 
is a question whether we, as Senators of the State of Penn- 
sylvania, shall intelligently perform the duties entrusted to us; 



CONSIDERATION OF BILLS 197 

whether we shall betray or defend the interests of the public. 
Now we do not know the contents of these bills. IHie o-entle- 
man said we have had time to consider them. We have all 
been occupied with the events of the past two days and the 
members' friends from their homes have occupied their atten- 
tion, and have prevented any consideration of the bills now up- 
on the calendar. We are also aware that the time for amend- 
ment or taking action on such bills as we may not favor is 
wdien they are on second reading. We are also aware that 
when bills reach third reading and final passage, it is very easy 
indeed to take advantage of a moment's absence to slip through 
a dangerous bill. Wt are also aware that any honest bill can- 
not suffer by turning on the light, by looking carefully at its 
provisions. A bill that ought to be passed will gain strength 
when properly considered. No proper bill will be endangered 
by taking the action I suggest. I can see no reason for rush- 
ing the thing through now. Let us begin now to extend the 
time of this session if there is insufficient time for full consider- 
ation of these important matters." 

But the bill passed notwithstanding" this good and whole- 
some doctrine — Senator Cumings not voting. 



XII. 

DEATH AND LAST FUNERAL OBSEQUIES. 

Captain Cumings had partaken of l^reakfast Wednesday 
morning-, May 14, 19 13, and intennittingiy dozed in his big 
chair. At the suggestion of one of the family that he lie 
down, he walked to a couch, and even while the pillows were 
being arranged, " he was not." The weary traveler was at 
rest. Tidioute was bereaved and lonesome. Telegraph and 
telephone were busy conveying messages of sorrow, sympathy, 
condolence and love. Letters from all parts of the country 
followed for many days. Business was suspended throughout 
the greater part of Saturday and the day of the funeral, that 
the community might show the high esteem in which they held 
this noble citizen. The body lay in state at the family residence 
between ten and twelve o'clock. No funeral grave cerements 
encased it, appropriately the blue uniform of the Grand Army 
of the Republic, of which he was so proud and to which so 
tried and true a friend, clothed it. The casket was heavy, 
metalic lined and was buried under the wealth of flowers that 
had come from friends and admirers from all parts of the 
country as well as from those nearer home. During these two 
hours hundreds came to look upon his face for the last time 
on earth. Death's pangs left no trace and the features were as 
calm as though the deceased was in a deep restful sleep. Ow- 
ing to its size, proximity and convenience, the Presbyterian 
church was selected as the place for the final seiwices, and the 
edifice was completely filled. The pews directly in front of the 
pulpit were occupied by members of the Tidioute Post of the 
Grand Army of the Republic and details from similar organiza- 
tions at Erie, Warren, Oil City, and other neighboring places. 



200 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

The services were in charge of Rev. J. N. Fradenburgh, D. D., 
LL. D., of Oil City, a comrade and warm friend, assisted by 
Rev. Dr. vS. H. Day of the Methodist Episcopal church of 
Tidioute, and Rev. S. F. Marks of the Presbyterian church. 
Music was furnished by Professor Gill, teacher of music in the 
public schools, and members of the Presbyterian and Methodist 
choirs. The hynms were selected by members of the family — 
*' Tead Kindly Light," " Son of My Soul," and " Nearer My 
God to Thee." 

We quote a few passages from the funeral discourse of 
Dr. Fradenburgh : 

" I may call this world our kindergarten, the primary de- 
partment in which we play with blocks and marbles, build our 
castles, spend a little time and graduate in the great university 
beyond and other universities, higher and higher. This little 
inch of space which we occupy in this world rises and deepens 
and expands until it reaches the moon, stars, sun and galaxies, 
off into the immensity of God. This moment of time we call 
life, extends so that the moment becomes minutes, hours, days, 
months, years, centuries, milleniums — forevers, 

" The life beyond continues the courses we have pursued 
in the present world, so far as possible under new conditions 
and with new and at present unknown faculties. There is but 
one pause in our eternal existence — not the cessation of life 
nor an intermission — the same life going on. This pause in 
our eternal life is called death. It occupies really no time; we 
pass from one into the other, into the future, instantaneously. 

" Greece was the most civilized country of the ancient 
world. During perhaps not more than one hundred and fifty 
years of her history Greece produced of great men — if we call 
a man great whose history lives through thousands of years — 
more great men than the whole world produced during fifteen 
hundred years afterwards. In poetry. Homer deserves to rank 




Cumings Monument, Tidioute, Pa. 



FUNERAL SERJ'ICES 203 

among- the rtrst of tlie world's poets; in philosophy, Plato; in 
ethics and spiritual enlightenment, Socrates; in tragedy, 
Aeschyles ; in comedy, Aristophanes ; in law, Lycurgus ; in 
sculpture, Phidias ; in oratory, Demosthenes, and in patriotism, 
Leonidas. But what did Greece think concerning the future 
life? Socrates and some of the philosophers had comparative- 
ly clear ideas, but what \\as the a\'erage opinion of the Greeks 
concerning- a future state? A Greek poet expresses it in these 
lines : 

'Alas, alas. ■:Aicii Mallozcs droop 

Beneath flic Hollyrood shade, 
JJ'hcii celery and feathered dill 

Have -ceithcred and decayed. 
They rise again, in Beauty Bright, 

To greet the Coining Year, 
But Man, the great, the leise, the good, 

When laid upon his bier. 
Sleeps on, an unawakened sleep 

Beneath the silent earth, 
To him alone has been denied 
A Resurrection Birth: 

" Compare this dark picture with the words of Saint 
Paul wdien he supposed he was approaching death ! ' I am now 
ready to be offered ; the time of my departure is at hand. I 
have fought the good fight ; I have finished the course ; I have 
kept the faith ; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of 
righteousness, which the Lord, the Righteous Judge, shall give 
me in that day, and not only me, but all those who love His 
appearing.' 

" But it is not my object on this occasion to preach a 
funeral sernion. That seems not to be suitable, nor is it my 
object to pronounce a eulogy; that is not needed. Captain 
Cumings, our c.onirade and brother, is known to this com- 
munitv. where he has lived for more than forty years. After 



204 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

we have listened to all that could be said and read all that 
could be written, from this we would not know him as well 
as the people of this community know him now. This large 
assemblage of the business men of the community gathered 
here today, acquaintances and friends from abroad, his com- 
rades in arms, shows the esteem in which he is held for his 
many virtues. The telephone and telegraph messages which 
the bereaved family have received add their share to the wide- 
spread tribute. 

" Comrade Cumings was a man of classical education. 
He was adapted to varied business and was successful. He 
was deeply interested in the prosperity of Tidioute and was 
connected with many public interests in connection with the 
town. He loved his country and was ready to sacrifice and 
be sacrificed for his country. His war record was an enviable 
one. 

" Those who were not living in the days of the Civil War, 
and, indeed, those who were not present in any of the larger 
battles of that war, cannot from any amount of reading in his- 
tory form the slightest idea of a great battle. But here is a 
man who fought at Perryville, Stone River, Chickamauga, 
Missionary Ridge, Resacca, Peach Orchard and Atlanta and 
other great conflicts of the war, and marched with Sherman to 
the sea. 

" Our brother and comrade did much to support the 
churches of Tidioute, especially the Episcopal and the Metho- 
dist Episcopal. Captain Cumings was notably religious in 
his feelings ; he had a deep reverence for Christianity and lived 
a life of charity, meekness, manliness and benevolence. 

" Tidioute will feel lonesome tomorrow and it will be 
many a long day before she can adjust herself to the absence 
of the form of this manly man and great citizen, his absence 
from her business, her churches, her streets and her homes." 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE 205 

Following the benediction by Rev. Dr. Day the members 
of the Grand Army of the Republic took charge of the body. 
The casket was not opened during the time it was in the 
church. The cortege in wdiich there were many friends from a 
distance moved to the Tidioute cemetery, comrades in uniform 
acting as an escort, and the body was committed w^ith military 
honors, under the direction of Cobham Post. The church 
ritual followed that of the G. A. R. ; the benediction was pro- 
nounced l)y Rev. Dr. Fradenburgh. 

Many residents of Tidioute had gone direct to the ceme- 
tery, feeling there would not be sufficient room in the church 
for all ; it is claimed by long-time residents that not in the re- 
cent history of this beautiful city of the dead had there been so 
many persons assembled. 

It is not inappropriate to present a few of the many let- 
ters of appreciation and condolence : 

Harrisburg, Pa., Alay 15, 1913. 
Mrs. Henry H. Cumings, Tidioute, Pa.: 

M}' Dear Mrs. Cumings : 

I was greatly shocked to learn this morning by a news 
item in the Philadelphia Ledger, that your esteemed husband 
and my (Icirly-beloved friend. Captain Cumings, departed this 
life }ester(lay. 

I have been " in the shadows " for the last few' days, ow- 
ing to the very sudden death, on Saturday evening last, of Mrs. 
Stewart. 

I beg to tender you mv sincere and heartfelt s}"mpath}' in 
the great loss that }'ou ha\-e sustained, realizing how empty 
and \-alueless words seem at such a time, and yet I ha\'e found 
great comfort in the kindly messages of sympathv and con- 
dolence that I have received, and know that vou will lind some 



2o6 HENRY HARRISON CU MINGS 

comfort in the sweet tender of sympathies that you will receive 
from the hosts of friends that Captain Cumings had endeared 
himself to in his beautiful life. 

Sincerely yours, 

Thos. J. Stewart. 



Erie, Pa., May 15, 19 13. 

Mrs. Henry H. Cumings, Tidioute, Pa. : 
]\Iy Dear Mrs. Cumings : 

I have just received Harry's telegram conveying the sad 
news of the death of your husband and my comrade and 
friend. 

I am grieved beyond expression. I was very much at- 
tached to Past Department Commander Cumings. His splen- 
did comradeship and generous manhood have endeared him to 
the conu-adeship of the Department of Pennsylvania. 

How inadequate are words to give full expression of the 
sympathy of our hearts under such sudden and awful bereave- 
ment. 

In this, your hour of deep sorrow, my full heart's sym- 
pathy goes out to you. If I could offer any words that might 
in any way assuage your sorrow how giadlv would I do it. 
But only the Great Physician can a])ply the healing balm. 
May Cod in His tender mercy console and comfort ^'on, in this 
your great sorrow. 

Yours in profound sorrow, 

Thos. H. Cole. 

Commander of Department of Pennsylvania, Grand Army 
of the Republic. 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE 207 

Philadelphia, IMay 18, 1913. 
My Dear iMiss Cumings : 

The sad news of the death of your dear father was a great 
shock to his many friends here, and to none more so than to 
myself. 

Expressions of deep sympathy and sincere condolence 
may seem hut as empty phrases to his household darlings in 
these hours of their bitter grief, and yet I cannot refrain from 
mingling my sorrow with that of his loved ones because of the 
grandness of the character of your darling mother's loving, 
loved and devoted husband and companion, the darling loved 
and loving father of your brothers and sisters and yourself, 
and my esteemed loved friend and comrade. 

It was a matter of regret to me that my present physical 
condition prevented me from paying my tribute in person at 
the last sad rites, but the scars of the days that made your 
dear father and I comrades intervened. 

In your hours of deep sorrow and bitter anguish I appre- 
ciate that there can be but little alleviation of your great grief 
by sincere expressions of sorrow, and yet, dear girl, that by the 
death of your darling father I have lost a loyal, loved and lov- 
ing" friend. 

]\Iake mv sincere remembrance to your dear darling 
mother, to your dear brothers and sisters, with a full share for 
yourself, and with renewed assurances of whatever service I 
can be at any time to the bereaved loved ones of my sincere 
friend, Cai)tain H. H. Cumings. 

" We shall meet, but we shall miss him ; 
There will be one vacant chair." 

In sorrow and sincerity, your friend, 

James F. Morrison. 

Pardon the use of the type-write, but rny old hand is so 
trembling that a pen is practically useless, and this type-write 
is from mv own hand. 



2o8 HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

Oil City, Pa., May 19, 19 13. 
Mrs. H. H. Ciimings, Tidioute, Pa. : 

My Dear Mrs. Cumings : 

Upon my return from a business trip, I was shocked to 
learn of the death of your husband, and hasten to express my 
sincere sympathy with you in your great loss. 

I regret very much that I ^^'as unable to attend the funeral 
and thus show to some slight extent my great respect for him. 
While I had not known him for many years, and could not call 
myself a particularly intimate friend, yet I knew him long 
enough and well enough to appreciate fully his fine character 
and lovable and manly qualities and thus to feel his death as a 
great personal loss to myself. 

Knowing him as I did, enables me fully to realize how 
great is the loss and how unconsolable the sorrow of yourself 
and those of his immediate family. Life brings those bereave- 
ments to each of us in turn and we can only endure the pain 
here and hope for a happy reunion in the great beyond. 

Again assuring you of my heartfelt sympathy, I am 

Sincerely yours, 

P. M. Speer. 

Alember of House of Representatives, \\'ashington, D. C. 



Los Angeles, Cal., May 28, 1913. 
Mrs. H. H. Cunn'ngs, Tidioute, Pa. : 

Dear AL's. Cumings: 

It is with great sorrow that I read in the Los Angeles 
Times of the death of Captain H. H. Cumings. Mrs. Cowles 
joins with me in extending our heartfelt sympathy in your 
great affiictiDn. When he called on us at our home here last 
summer he seemed in fair health, and I was greatlv surprised 
to so soon hear (^f his passing away. 



LETTERS OF CONDOLENCE 209 

It is with more than usual interest that I recall my first 
acquaintance with Mr. Cumings which was before the war 
while he and I were teaching school not very far apart. After- 
^var(ls came our army experience. My interest and regard in- 
creased with the years, as we often met at regimental reunions. 
Especially was I impressed with his interest in us as a regiment 
when without sparing of pains or expense he entertained us 
so royally at his pleasant home at Madison-on-the-Lake. 

As Memorial Day approaches we are reminded impres- 
sively of the fast passing away of the old comrades. We 
shall think of you in your great sorrow, as for the first time 
this newly-made grave is dedicated. 

My daughters, Mrs. Westcott and Miss Winifred, also 
join in extending sympathy. 

Sincerely yours, 

E. R. Cowles. 

Dear Mrs. Cumings : 

Doctor and I want you to know how deeply we sympa- 
thize with you at this sad time. 

There is nothing I can say to comfort you, words are so 
useless at such a time, but just want you all to know I am 
thinking of you, and wish I could be of some comfort. 

I feel that I have lost a good friend in Captain's death. 
Always from the time I was a little girl, he has been so inter- 
ested in me and our little chats were always so pleasant. 

Tidioute has most certainly lost a grand, good man, and 
there are so few left. 

Give my love and sympathy to the family and with much 
love for yourself. 

Affectionately, 

Julia Clarke Anter. 

76 Holbrook Avenue, Detroit, Mich., June 3. 1913. 



14 



2IO HENRY HARRISON CUMINGS 

W. C. McBride, 
Third National Bank Building, 
Twelfth Floor. 

St. Louis, Mo., June 3, 1913. 
Mr. Charles E. Cumings, East Brady, Pa. : 

Dear Friend Charles — Answer to your beautiful letter of 
the 24th inst. has been delayed owing to my absence from the 
office on an eastern trip until today. 

Replying to same now, wish to say that I heartily concur 
in every word that you have written relative to the sterling 
qualities of your beloved brother. It most certainly was edify- 
ing and gratifying to me to read your words of eulogy on the 
death of your dear brother and my dear friend. 

You are right in saying that I held him in very high 
esteem and that I appreciated his fine character. To my mind, 
he was one among thousands ; and I believe I can truthfully 
say that I have thought of Captain Cumings oftener than any 
other one man that I can now recall since I started in business 
for myself. 

I think it only natural that this should be so for the reason 
it was he who gave the writer his very first lesson in good busi- 
ness ethics. It was he, too, who loaned me the first dollar I 
ever borrowed from any one, and this was entirely at his own 
volition, as I did not ask for it at all. Doubtless I have told you 
the story in detail, hence I will not attempt to write it out here 
as it would take too long, however. I will touch on it in a gen- 
eral way. 

When I went to East Brady to settle up (you will remem- 
ber the Captain had consented to keep my surplus earnings for 
me, as I was afraid of the lianks) and when I got the thousand 
dollars that was due me, which amount I had agreed to pay for 
a certain well I had bought back of Fairview. he thought that I 



LETTERS OE CONDOLENCE 211 

should ha\c a little surplus niDUcy: hence he sug'g'csted that I 
accept a loan of three hundred dollars for ninety days, whicli I 
(lid, and that piece of paper was the iirst note I ever signed in 
my life. 

I think he spent fully a half hour in explaining to me the 
necessity of a man, who expected to maintain his credit at a 
high standard, of heing very prompt in either liquidating his 
note in full, or arranging hefore for partial payment, or re- 
newal in full, etc. In short, he gave me a lesson in good busi- 
ness ethics and one that I never have forgotten. This is best 
evidenced by the fact that while I have given many notes since 
that time. I ha\-e never had a piece of paper that carried my 
name go to protest, and I think it is entirely safe for me to say 
that I never will have one — from all of which you can readily 
see that the wise counsel I received from your brother sank in 
deep and has been very helpful to me ; in fact, I might say that 
it has been an invaluable asset. 

Aside from his immediate family and close relatives, I do 
not believe there is a person living that mourns the death of this 
noble man more than the writer ; and when saying this I am not 
unmindful of the fact that he had many true and valued friends. 

He has gone the way of all flesh, and it will not be long 
until all those who knew and loved him will follow to the 
" great beyond." But as you say, I think many can profit by 
emulating the good example he set while here, and by doing 
this attain the highest place that is obtainable in the hereafter. 

Very truly yours, 

(Signed) W. C. McBride. 





Charlotte J. Cumings 



XIII. 
MEMOIR OF MRS. CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS. 

Captain H. H. Cuniings had passed to his reward the 
fourteenth day of May. The new grave in the cemetery had 
been decorated on Memorial Day. The day foHowing we met 
Mrs. Ciimings. She spoke of the past, expressed gratification 
that the memorial services had been observed in a manner so 
satisfactory, gave directions concerning the preparation of a 
memorial of her husband, and looked bravely out into the 
future with hope and courage. She was just taking up her 
new duties and responsibilities and new burdens. 

It was the twenty-second day of the June immediately 
following. Mrs. Cumings was in Baltimore. Her little grand- 
daughter, Minerva Ellis, twelve years of age, had fallen down 
stairs and broken her arm. She was promised an automobile 
ride as soon as she had sufficiently recovered. This was the 
occasion of an automobile trip at this time. Mrs. Cumings and 
her son, Ralph H. Cumings, were in a Ford car and had reached 
Slade avenue. Another automobile stood at the right hand 
side of the road and when \lr. Cumings sw'erved his car to the 
center of the road, the stearing gear jammed and the car 
turned scfuare across the road, leaped straight into the air about 
six feet and came down bottom upward with ?\Irs. Cumings 
and son both pinned underneath. Just then the big touring car 
of Owen Daily, head of the banking firm of Owen Daily & 
Companv, was close upon them and crashed into their car, one 
of the wheels passing over Mrs. Cumings' head. The dying 
W'Oman was brought into the city but she had already passed 
from earthly sight and caught her first vision of the glory of 
God. Mr. Cumings was seriously injured but made a speedy 
recovery. 



2i6 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

Mrs. Ciimings' two daughters, Mrs. Theodore H. Ellis 
and Mrs. Arthur B. White; Mrs. Ralph H. Cumings, Miss 
Minerva Ellis and Lawrence WHiite were in the second car 
which was immediately ahead, and were witnesses of the trag- 
edy. The occupants of the third car who completed the party 
were Theodore H. Ellis, William How^ard and John H. Sink, 
all of Baltimore; Bernard T. Ellis, Miss Charlotte C. Ellis and 
Miss Abigail L. Cumings. They did not learn of the tragedy 
until, following the path of the other car. they came to the 
wreck nearly half an hour later. In the road beside the ma- 
chine Miss Cumings found her mother's hat and handbag con- 
taining a considerable sum of money, some bank notes, jewelry 
and other valuables. 

Such was the tragic termination of the earthly career of 
this most useful and accomplished woman, the delight of her 
friends, the good cheer of society, the inspiration to praise- 
worthy effort, the queen of a model home. The community in 
which she lived and for which she had done so much, the so- 
cieties to which she belonged and which were enriched by the 
g-reat heart of her devotion, the church into which she had knit 
her very being — these mourn the sad ending of an active and 
useful life. 

Mrs. Charlotte Sink Cumings was born in Rome, New 
York, April 25, 1846. She is a lineal descendant of the Earl of 
Stafford, of \A\arwickshire, England ; of John Billings and Sir 
Thomas Billings, of Rowell and Northampton, through eight 
generations to the emigrant to America, William Billings; of 
Sir Thomas Bromley, Staffordshire, through his son, Luke 
Bromley, and his grandson, Luke Bromley, of Stonington, 
Connecticut. She is also a lineal descendant of the noted 
Willis familv of Connecticut. \\'ealthv W^illis, daugfhter of 
William Willis, married James Carroll, of Massachusetts. 
They were married in Stockbridge. Their daushter married 




Residence of Captain H. H. Cumings, Tidioute, Pa. 



HER MANY ACTIl'ITIES 219 

Jacob Sink, of Stockbridge, October 19, 1816. Their son, 
Andrew Jackson Sink, married Sarah Catherine Rue, March 4, 
1840, from whom was born Charlotte Sink who married H. H. 
Ciimings. 

On her mother's side, Mrs. Cmnings is a lineal descendant 
of Richard Higgins, of Plymouth, and one of the first proprie- 
tors of Eastham, Massachusetts, and his second wife, Mary 
Yates. They removed to New Jersey in 1670. She is also a 
lineal descendant of Richard Stout, who married the famous 
Penelope Van Princess in 1624; of Matthew Rue, of Staten 
Island, an early settler; and of George Mount, an early settler 
and prominent man of New Jersey. 

Mrs. Cumings attended the schools of her native place and 
those of Chicago, Illinois, and South Bend, Indiana. She pos- 
sessed rare executive ability and her life was made up of busy, 
active, energetic work. On the formation of the Woman's Re- 
lief Corps in Tidioute, she was one of the first to interest her- 
self in that work and for many years served as president. In 
connection with this work, she pushed to success the Brook- 
ville Memorial Home at Brookville, Pa., a home for veteran 
soldiers and their wives and children, giving abundantly of 
her means and time. She was president of the State Woman's 
Relief Corps in 1893-4. She was also inspector and installing 
officer of the National Woman's Relief Corps which received 
her close attention during her term of service. She was a 
member of the " Andersonville Prison Board " when the prison 
was restored and presented to the government. She organized 
the Tidioute Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revo- 
lution and served as its regent. She had entered upon her third 
term of service as State Regent, having been unanimously re- 
elected in April at the Continental Congress in Washington 
while she was detained at the bedside of her sick husband. 



220 CHARLOTTE J. CU MINGS 

She was an active worker in the Shakespeare Club and the 
MendeLssohn Ckib. She was assistant worthy matron of 
Economite Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star recently 
organized in Tidioute, and was very enthusiastic in promoting 
and assisting in purchasing and furnishing St. Paul's Univer- 
salist Church as a Chapter House. It was she who inaugurated 
the movement which was carried to a successful issue, to erect 
the monument to tlie memory of General Joseph Warren, for 
whom the county was named, which now beautifies one of the 
parks of Warren. Her part in connection with all these varied 
interests was performed with distinguished ability and un- 
quenchable enthusiasm. Mrs. Cumings had always been an 
active, loyal, consistent member and liberal supporter of the 
Protestant Episcopal Church. Her activities were in behalf of 
the social, intellectual, moral and religious education and cul- 
ture of the many who were attracted under her influence. Un- 
ostentatiously and quietly she met every call for benevolence 
and help with hearty and lavish hand. A woman of most de- 
cided mould, often with somewhat of seeming brusqueness, yet 
she carried a heart that could not withstand appeals of misery 
and want. And in every project of a public or semi-public 
character in which she became interested, she put her whole 
soul as though that one particular object was her sole aim in 
life. 

The train bearing the mortal remains of ]\Irs. Cumings 
arrived in Tidioute Wednesday morning and the body was 
taken to the Presbyterian Church where loving hands buried 
the casket under a wealth of flowers. 

Because of the large seating accommodations of this 
church, the funeral was held in the capacious audience room at 
2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The Tidioute Chapter of the 
Daughters of the American Revolution and the Economite 
Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star attended in a body. 




Mrs. Charlotte J. Cumings 

Eaily Photograph 



LETTERS OF APPRECIATION 223 

Rev. W. O. Leslie, rector of Christ Episcopal Church, intoned 
the beautiful burial service. The service over, the procession 
moved to the city of the dead on the hill. The body was borne 
to its last quiet home by most loving- and tender hands, the 
bearers being- Charles A. Cumings and Henry H. Cumings, 
sons; Bernard T. Ellis and Henry H. Cumings, grandsons; 
W. S. Sink, a brother, and Theodore H. Ellis, a son-in-law. 
There she rests until the Lord shall bid -her rise, triumphant 
and glorified. " This woman was full of good works and of 
alms deeds which she did." — Acts ix :;^6. " Her children rise 
up and call her blessed.'"— Solomon. 

The following letters of sympathy to the sorely and twice- 
bereaved family are selected for publication from a great num- 
ber. 

Holly Chapter, No. 91, Order of the Eastern Star. 

Oil City, Pa., June 2y, 1913. 
Miss Abbie Cumings : 

Dear Friend : — We most sincerely extend our heartfelt 
sympathy to you in this your second bereavement. Your 
mother was one who won the confidence and esteem of all, and 
to know her was to love her. 

' The szcrctcst Ik'cs arc those to duty i^'cd. 
Whose deeds, both great and small, 

Arc close-knit strands of unbroken thread, 
JJ^hcre love ennobles all. 

The zeorld may sound no triuinpet, ring no hells; 

The Book of Life the sJiining record tells.' 

Belle K. Richards, Secretary. 
Jennie AIcL. Vaughan. 
Marv Belle Cross. 



224 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

]\Iy Dear Miss Cumings : 

The ladies of the D. A. R. wish to extend their deepest 
sympathy to you and all your family in the loss of your dear 
mother and our beloved regent. 

Could you have been present at the memorial service at 
Mrs. Turner's you would realize what a place she occupied in 
our hearts. 

Each member feels the loss to be a personal one, and the 
memory of her loyal devotion to the cause of the daughters will 
long- remain with us. 

She gave so much of herself, her time, her energy and 
her ability that her place can never be filled. 

With renewed sympathy, 

Amelia C. T. Stillman, 
Gertrude H. Shugert. 

Tidioute, Pa., July 3, 1913. 



Bloomington, Illinois, July 5, 19 13. 
My Dear Miss Cumings : 

Just this moment the paper has come to me bringing the 
terrible word of your beloved mother's sudden and tragic tak- 
ing away. The inexpressible shock and grief this brings to me 
cannot be conveyed in words. I can only tell you that my heart 
goes out to and with you in this hour of desolation. 

It was my rare pri\'ilege to call this noble woman " friend " 
and to be associated with her so delightfully in our congenial 
D. A. R. work that was so dear to her heart, that her beautiful 
service was a veritable labor of love. That death loves a shin- 
ing mark is no mere figure of speech in connection with this 
distinguished woman whose activities and interests reached out 
into every sphere where brain and heart were needed. Of her 
it mav be truthfully said : " Of rare worth as a woman, of 




Andrew J. Sink 



15 



RESOLUTIONS 227 

great merit as a citizen, of wisdom as a coiincellor, of unerring 
instinct as a Christian, of inexhaustilMe value as a friend. The 
world is poorer, life less rich to the wide circle who felt the up- 
lift of her noble life and example." 

With tenderest sympathy for her bereax'ed ones who 
were nearest and dearest to her. 

Sincerely yours, 

Julia G. Scott. 
Mrs. Mathew T. 



A special service was held in memory of Mrs. Cumings 
by the State Conference of the Daughters of the American 
Revolution at their session held in Scranton, on the twenty- 
eighth day of October. Mrs. Thomas A. Morrison. State 
Treasurer, read a beautiful paper, after which several delegates 
spoke feelingly of the great loss sustained at her demise. The 
following resolutions were then passed and ordered spread 
upon the minutes : 

^^^^ereas, It has pleased God in his wise but inscrutable 
Providence, to remo\-e from life Airs. Henry H. Cumings, 
who, at the time of her death, so ably and honorably filled the 
ofifice of State Regent of Pennsylvania, Daughters of the 
American Revolution : and 

\Miereas, Our late honored regent \\as at the time of 
her death in the full prime of useful womanhood, and her loss 
will be deeply felt, not only in the councils of our organization, 
which she so wisely guided, but also in her family life and so- 
cial relations. Therefore l)e it 

Resolved, That we. the Daughters of the American Rev- 
olution of Pennsylvania, hereby express our high appreciation 
of the true worth and Christian w(^manhood of Mrs. Cumings, 
and of her unselfish devotion to our interests, and be it further 



228 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

Resolved, That we extend our sincere and heartfelt sym- 
pathy to her bereaved children, and that a copy of these reso- 
lutions be spread upon the minutes of the State Society. 

Anna Orvis Keller, 
Char. Regent Bellefonte Chapter. 
Anne H. Perley, 
Vice President General. 
Emma L. Crowell, 
Pennsylvania Secretary. 



MEMORIAL TO MRS. CUMINGS 

Read by Mrs. Morrison. 

Lord, Thou hast been our refuge from one generation to 
another. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever 
the earth and the world were made ; Thou are God from ever- 
lasting, and world without end. 

Thou turnest man from destruction ; again Thou sayest. 
Come again, ye children of men. « 

For a thousand years in Thy sight are but as yesterday; 
seeing that is past as a watch in the night. 

As soon as Thou scatterest them they are even as a sleep; 
and fade away suddenly like the grass. 

In the morning it is green and groweth up; but in the 
evening it is cut down, dried up and withered. 

The days of our age are tliree score years and ten and 
though men be so strong that they come to four score years, 
yet is their strength then but laljour and sorrow, so soon 
passeth it away and we are gone. 

Oh ! Teach us to remember our days, that we may apply 
our hearts unto wisdom. 

Turn thee again, oh, Lord, at the last, and be gracious 
unto Thv servants. 




Mrs. Andrew J. Sink 



MEMORIAL 231 

Comfort us again now after the time that Thou hast 
plagued us, and for tlie years wherein we have suffered adver- 
sity. 

Show Thy servants Thy work, and their children Thy 

glory. 

And the glorious majesty of the Lord, Thy God, be upon 
us: prosper Thou the work of our hands upon us. oh, prosper 
Thou our handy-work. 

Mrs. Charlotte J. Sink Cumings passed from this life Sun- 
day evening, June 22, 19 13, at Baltimore. She was born at 
Rome, N. Y., April 25, 1846. Her marriage to Captain H. H. 
Cumings occurred April 17, 1867. Thus, for nearly half a cen- 
turv they had journeyed together life's rugged pathway. After 
a somewdiat protracted illness Captain Cumings passed over the 
river to the Great Beyond May 14, 19 13. 

Stunned, but not crushed, sorrowful but not despondent 
at this great affliction, this brave woman remained at her post 
of duty, attending vigorously to the manifold cares and re- 
sponsibilities of the office of State Regent of the Daughters of 
the American Revolution. 

It was at Shamokin, at the State convention of the 
Woman's Relief Corps in 1890, and while I was department 
president, that I first met Mrs. Cumings. I had been attracted 
to her through correspondence and was more attracted wdien 
I met her face to face. Straightforward and earnest in all she 
did, her unwavering enthusiasm inspired all with whom she 
came in contact. Since those bleak winter days in Shamokin, 
I have learned to know^ her better, to appreciate her many 
traits of mind and heart, to look up to her wonderful power 
of concentration, of execution and of completion. But first and 
foremost was her patriotic zeal. Nothing was overlooked, how- 
ever small in detail : nothing staggered her, no matter wdiat 
effort it entailed. All of these qualities led to her holding the 



232 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

highest offices in the Woman's Relief Corps in Pennsylvania 
and finding an honored place in prominent committees of the 
National organization for many years. 

She was the prime mover in the organization of Tidioute 
Chapter in 1900, and continued the Regent from the beginning 
until she resigned its duties to accept those of Regent of the 
Pennsylvania Society. She had rounded out the second term 
and was fairly upon the third. 

Her leadership in this patriotic society had never faltered 
or hesitated in its upward trend. Her devotion to its welfare 
became a part of her life and she only laid it down when life 
was crushed out forever and her spirit winged its flight aloft 
to meet her God, and those who had gone before. 

There was no single good work for which our society 
stands pledged that did not receive her hearty co-operation; 
conservation of the home and our National resources, patriotic 
education and the general teaching of the young, the welfare 
of women and children, southern education among the moun- 
taineers and the prevention of desecration of the flag. Her 
face would light up at the mention of the flag. 

Oh ! Pennsylvania Daughters, we stand today as by an 
open grave. Sorrowfully, tearfully, we recall our beloved 
Regent's face and form and seem to feel the hearty grasp of 
her loving hand, the very accent and intonation of her voice. 

I have alluded to Mrs. Cumings as a leader. What shall I 
say of her as a friend? True and faithful, earnest, sympathetic 
and loving, her memory will remain a blessed memory while 
life lasts. Many, very niany happy peaceful days have I spent 
at her home in Tidioute and when I reached there after her 
tragic ending to pay my last debt of respect to her I loved so 
well, how chano-ed the order of thinsfs — 



MEMORIAL 2^^ 

'' For tlic face I looked for zeas not there, 

The one loic voice zeas unite, 
Only iUi unseen presence filled the air 

And battled my pursuit. 
A^oze I look back on nieadoze, manse and stream 

Dimly my thoughts detine, 
I only see a dream zeitliin a dream, 

The hill tops zereathed zeith pine. 
I only hear above tier place of rest 

Their tender undertone, 
The intinite longings of a troubled breast 

The z'oice so like her ozen." 

Dear Daughters, we are called upon to mourn the loss of 
a dear friend, a valued capable officer, a beloved co-worker. 

It remains for us to follow her example of faithfulness, 
devotion and self-sacrifice. To go bravely on working for the 
advancement and upbuilding of our noble organization. Re- 
membering " that it is our high duty, nay privilege, to keep 
brightly burning upon our National hearthstone the true pa- 
triotic fire of Revolutionary days ; that it is our mission to bring 
to the solution of every national problem the same spirit of un- 
selfish devotion, the same invincible belief in the expediency of 
doing right though the heavens fall, that was shown by the 
generation of great and good men who baptized the Nation 
with their blood, in order that it might become a fit habitation 
for free men and free women and an example for all the tyrant 
oppressed nations of the earth." 

Dear friend : old friend, you passed so swiftly from among 
us, and we sometimes wonder if you would have wished it 
otherwise. To go without a word, a look, a grasp of the hand, 
not even a prayer. Man is indeed " a swinging wicket set be- 
tween the unseen and the seen." 



234 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

Could you have pierced the veil would you not have brave- 
ly echoed the poet's words : 

" Sunset and cz'cning star 

And one clear call for nie! 
And niav there be no moaning at tJie bar 
11 lien I put out to sea. 

But such a tide as moving seems a sleep 

Too full for sound and foam, 
JJlien that lehich dreie from out the boundless deep 

Turns again home. 

Tieilight and evening bell, 

And after that the dark, 
And may there be no sadness of fare'a'cll 

When I embark. 

For thought from out our bourne of time and place 

The flood nuiy bear me far, 
I hope to see my pilot face to face 
J J lien I have crost the bar. 
(Signed) Helen ^Morrison." 



Of these devoted parents were born nine children : Three 
died in infancy: Sarah Charlotte, born April 15. 1875; baby 
daughter, born February 2, 1883. and Benjamin Rue, bom 
October 4, 1887. Six survive: 

I — Harriet Emily was born January 9, 1868, and was 
educated at Oberlin College and Oberlin Conservatory of 
Music. She was married to Theodore Horatio Ellis August 
27, 1888. Like her mother, she is deeply interested in patriotic 
and social organizations. It is due to her efforts that the 
" Flag Salute " has been introduced into the schools of her 
state. She also takes an active interest in philanthropic and 



THE FAMILY 235 

civic work in lu'iltinmrc: ;in(l last l)ut not least. (l(jes a g"i"eat 
deal of historical and ^enealoi^ical work, endeavoring" to have 
old and ancient niannscript state records printed and bound and 
placed where the people of the state will be able to consult them 
and have a better knowledge of their state history. 

Air. Ellis. Ijesides his connection w iih other business enter- 
prises, is a larg'e stockholder and manager of the United States 
Asphalt and Rehning Company. Baltimore, Md. 

2 — Charles Andrew was born Deceml)er 12. 1869. He 
was educated in the public schools of Tidioute and at the Penn- 
syhania State College. While living in Butler he became a 
member of the Pennsylvania State Guard. He ser\'ed in Cuba 
and in the Philippines three years, wdiere he was commissioned 
first lieutenant, -\fter some years he settled in Philadelphia 
where he is engaged in business. 

3 — Henry Harrison. Jr.. was l)orn August 24, 1871, 
graduated in the ]:)ublic schools of Tidioute and was a student 
in Oberlin College one year and Allegheny College three years. 
He then entered into business relations with Theodore H. 
Ellis in Tiona and later in Reading, Pennsylvania. He after- 
wards engaged in business in Rome, Xew York, and has other 
important Inisiness relations. 

4 — Ralph Hunter was l)orn December 11. 1876. He was 
educated in the Tidioute public schools, the Kiskiminetas 
Springs School, of Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Yale College. 
Jtist before graduation he enlisted in the Cuban War. He has 
been engaged in business in Marietta, Ohio, Tidioute and 
Baltimore. 

5 — Laura Prances was born August 2"/. 1879, and was 
educated in the public schools of Tidioute. and the Lake Erie 
College in Painesville. Ohio. She married Arthur Burr White 



236 CHARLOTTE J. CUMINGS 

of Riverside, California, formerly of Boston, Massachusetts, 
June 15, 1904. Mr. White is engaged in the business of civil 
engineer in Los Angeles, California. 

6 — Abigail Lynch was born November 17, 1893. She 
was educated in the public schools of Tidioute, the Westlake 
School for Girls, Los Angeles, and Miss Marshall's School, 
Oak Lane, Philadelphia, from which she graduated with high 
honors in the class of 19 12. 

All are qualified and equipped by birth, education and ex- 
perience to do their part in the world's work. 



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